11/19/2009
Labour Minister Murray Coell has appointed former Deputy Finance Minister Chris Trumpy to head up an industrial inquiry commission into labour relations with the Paramedics Union.
And Coell says he's made a number of changes in hopes of convincing paramedics themselves to take part.
Coell says, "We've added in most if not all of the requests from the Ambulance Paramedics Union, so I'm looking forward to their response after they've had a chance to read it."
Coell has extended the commission's original deadline of December until January 15th.
Cupe Local 873 Spokesperson BJ Chute says the government needs to assure paramedics the inquiry is independent before they participate.
And he points out Commission Chair --Chris Trumpy-- has a long history of working with the Campbell Liberals.
Chute says, "On the surface, it certainly looks as if he's simply hired a friend and a colleague to do some consulting as to how to restructure the ambulance service. And if that's the case, our union won't be a part of any dismantling of a provincial ambulance service."
Chute says if the province was serious about fixing issues within the ambulance service, the review would last more than two months.
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