Why has CUPE chosen to group all paramedics into a larger bargaining unit rather than allowing the Paramedics to negotiate their own benefits package?
The Province of New Brunswick made the decision totally on their own. CUPE 1252 had no say in the decision. Under the Financial Administration Act and the Public Service Labour Relations Act, the Board of Management has full and total authority to manage the public service of New Brunswick. The province decided to create a new institution under Part 3 of the Public Service Labour Relations Act. This decision by Government automatically places the paramedics under Local 1252. The Board of Management defined the occupational groups years ago and various unions applied and were certified as bargaining agents (Ex: CUPE, Nurses Union, NBUPPE). These unions have collective agreements for the groups they are certified to represent. The current collective agreement covering the ambulance personnel was signed in October of 2004. Any new employees hired into a portion of the public service for which there is an existing bargaining unit are automatically governed by the existing collective agreem
