Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2000-12-06, Page 3News Several senior paramedics not hired to Huron County Some did not meet required training levels By Sarah CaidweI Goderich Signal Star Staff At least seven paramedics in Huron with the most seniority were not hired by the county as they take over management of ambulance services on Jan. 1,2001. Currently employed by hospitals and ambulance operators in the county, until Dec. 31, paramedics were given the first opportunity to apply for positions with the county by Aug. 4. Some paramedics were offered employment provided they could meet certain. training upgrades by a certain date. Some made the decision to decline the offer and were • not rehired. said Cathy Carroll. Service Employees International Union, Local 210. which represents the paramedics in Goderich. Two paramedics .were offered jobs with conditions and two were not offered•jobs at all. "What happens as in other job competitions is a series of decisions were made as to who to hire. This is the same process as anywhere else." said Jon Hambides, Pomax Inc. the county's consultant on land ambulance services. In total 63 people applied for 31 full time positions. they faced a four-hour aptitude test and an interview- with five interviewers. Hambidcs was one of these interviewers. The final decision about :who was hired by the county was made by Nov. 24. Paramedics who belong to a union with hospital workers can bump someone with lower seniority from their job. in an area such as housekeeping. but that means someone else loses their job, said Carroll. "Talk to these paramedics ,to see, how it's devastated their lives," Carroll told county councillors in the open session at the end of the meeting on Nov. 30. These men have 26-28 years of experience. "1 can't believe the service of men being denied jobs. They are too young 10 retire and still have financial requirements at home," said Carroll. In Wingham. the wives of two of the senior paramedics have launched their own campaign against the decision with family friend Owen .Curtis speaking on their behalf. At county council. Nov. 30. the delegation was looking for answers about why they weren't hired but was told the matter was a personnel issue. . The delegation was referred to the county's Agriculture and Public Works committee which will be dealing •with ambulance issues.in 2001. As part of their campaign , they prepared a folder of letters to county council written by themsel-ves and also included tetters of endorsement from key medical staff at the Wingham and District Hospital, the funeral home director, the entire Wingham Area Fire Department, Kevin Sholdice, manager Wingham Listowel Hospital Ambulance Services, for the two senior paramedics that were dismissed with a combined 48 years of experience. Huron County council also received letters of criticism about a long-time paramedic from Dashwood not being hired. One letter was from his wife, another was from the president of the Greater Grand Bend Community Association Stephanie Donaldson and a concerned taxpayer Elaine Keller, all expressed concerns and were seeking answers about him not being hired by the county. Jon Hambidcs, Pomax Inc., said, ,the paramedics were not rehired, they were hired by the county. he. said. At the end of the year 4he various hospitals and ambulance operators are ending their employment - duties due to Ministry of Health downloading of the ambulance service. "Considering there was only 31 positions with 63 applicants the county had to get the best match. It's no different than any other employment process... he said. The county decided to run the ambulance service themselves and make it a county department and with the management of the service they had to set about hiring paramedics. The county then decided the first round would he. restricted to paramedics who currently, work within the county to restrict the number of applicants and give the current paramedics within the county the first . opportunity to apply. Regardless of experience all applicants were treated equally and considered qualified if they were certified by the Ministry of Health and the base hospital they worked under. "Whether they had three years or 20 years experience didn't come into it (the hiring process) as long as they were certified by the Ministry of Health and their base hospital," said Hambidcs. Huron County warden Carol Mitchell said in an earlier interview that all through the process there. have been no guarantees that current paramedics would automatically keep their jots: but were given the first opportunity to he hired by the county. • In Seaforth. the greatest impact was through the loss of several part-time positions. - A' union spokesperson for the Seaforth paramedics could not be reached by pros: time. THE HURON EXPOSITOR, Docomber 0, 20003 EPC Thank You Ken Kelly, Progressive Conservative I would like to thank the voters of Huron -Bruce, and those who worked on our campaign, for their support in the Federal Election. Ken Kelly PC Candidate Riding of Huron Bruce CORDONS mEN's wEAR 77 Ontario St., Straford 271-2181 A Great Selection of casual and dress clothes from well-known names like Point Zero. Haggar, Non -Fiction, Nash and Hathaway. •Free Giftwrapping •Free Alterations on Regular Priced Merchandise •Hassle Free Return Policy STORE HOURS: Mon. -Fri. 9-9 Sat. 9-5:30 Sun. 12-4 • Sun. Dec. 24th - 9-5 Prir • itfidi OPEN HOXOKi DAY Deo. 28th 9:5:00 "A Christmas Tradition for over 75 Years" bo.ent CO -Op , Seaforth Co-operative Children's Centre o.r 49FN'S CENtQ� is now accepting registration for Nursery School beginning in January. Morning and Afternoon Sessions available: 9-11:30 a.m. or 1-4:30 p.m.. Ages: 16 mos. -30 mos. - Cost 542. per month 21/2-5 yrs. - Cost 537. per month Call 527-0682 for more information C C ON ALL REG. PRICED IN STOCK ITEMS Saturday, Dec. EXCEPTIONS: Special orders, house Tots, contractors pricing, previously quoted contracts do not qualify. Product must be paid for Saturday, Normal shipping charges apply. We reserve the right to limit quantities. • Power Tools • Lumber • - Building Material • Plumbing Fixtures • Power Tool Access. • Electrical • Doors • Clothing & Footwear Dec. 9. • Bird Feeders & Houses • Bird Seed • Pet Accessories • Pet Foods Visit Santa at the Seaforth Rona Cashway Saturday, December 9th 10 a.m. - 12 noon 1/ 4. lix+er4toa4koAc5estokftopdua4upctwedil+oclueclutcbxeeaportukcwdxrtiumwec9i,eecr 198 Main St., Seaforth Phone 527-0770 Fax 527-2600 RONA