How long has CUPE been in conversations with the Government regarding the change over?
The decision to place all ambulance service under government was a public policy decision of the Province of New Brunswick. The first meeting was April 5th, 2006; this was when the Department of the Office of Human Resources informed CUPE Local 1252 of the Government’s intention. The formal announcement from Minister Brad Green came on April 20th. (View the full, unedited news conference video at: http://www.gnb.ca/cnb/news/he/2006e0448he.htm ) CUPE Local 1252 met formally with representatives of Government and Medavie/Blue Cross on April 25th and 26th to commence discussions on the change over. It is no secret that CUPE, among others, has advocated for years that ambulance services should be provided through the public service. This is consistent with CUPE’s policy that all public services be delivered directly rather than provided through for-profit contractors. Money for public services should go for services, not profit. Most Paramedics in New Brunswick have chosen CUPE to represen
