More than 60 N.S. emergency medical dispatchers on strike

More than 60 N.S. emergency medical dispatchers on strike

Union says it is far apart from employer EMC on issues like wages, staffing and working conditions

More than 60 medical dispatchers across Nova Scotia went on strike Friday evening.

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers Local 15 – Nova Scotia Medical Communications said it is far apart on key issues with employer Emergency Medical Care Inc. (EMC) on issues like wages, staffing and working conditions after more than a year of bargaining.

The union said it will continue to provide emergency dispatch services throughout the strike as part of an essential service agreement.

"One of the biggest issues this round of bargaining is chronic understaffing. The [essential services agreement] requires higher staffing levels during a strike than EMC provides on a typical weekday," NSMC Local 15 said in a news release.

"It speaks to the seriousness of the staffing problems when a labour dispute sees more members on the job instead of fewer."

The union said there will be a picket line at 239 Brownlow Ave. in Dartmouth on Saturday, starting at 7 a.m. local time.

CBC News has reached out to Emergency Medical Care Inc. for comment.

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