Manitoba Head Of?ce 601?275 Broadway Government Winnipeg. Manitoba and General Canada BBC 4MB Employees? Union September 14, 2015 Dear We are writing to address the concerns many of you have voiced to us regarding the participation of Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS) Chief John Lane at a ?re ?ghters union presentation in the United States recently. The topic of the presentation, as you all know by now, is explained below: EMS First Response Facts vs. Rhetoric Integrated ?re and EMS departments provide service to almost 60% of Manitoba residents. integrated model arose in the late 19905 due to lack of capacity of the exrsting standalone EMS service. Using the inherent response capacity in the ?re service, the department was able to expand services while avording Signi?cant duplication of resources. However, this ?re-based model is contrhually threatened by single role EMS pro wders and misrhformed leaders. 777e speakers in this workshop will present how they use facts to thwart rhetoric and protect the service they pro wde. We share the view that many of you have expressed to us: it is unacceptable that Chief Lane would debase the contributions of the elected leadership of MGEU Local 911 in this way. Your leadership does not view their suggestions for service improvements, and best use of taxpayer dollars, as ?rhetoric? nor do they see themselves as threatening to the care provided to patients. This is in?ammatory language that is unbecoming of any leader, and particularly so of the leader of an important service such as the WFPS. Based on this, MGEU has ?led a Respectful Workplace Complaint with the City of Winnipeg. The grievance notes ?the accusation that paramedics are ?threatening? is in?ammatory and contributes to a hostile work environment. Further, ?misinformed leaders? is interpreted as a direct indictment of the MGEU Local 911 executive and platoon stewards further inciting an ?us vs. them" atmosphere. Coming from Chief Lane, this is completely unacceptable and demonstrates willful disregard for the morale and contributions of ambulance-based paramedics under his command." In addition to this, we have requested meetings with the Winnipeg Mayor Brian Bowman and Minister of Health Sharon Blady to voice our concerns and request action to ensure this kind of disrespect is not repeated in the future. ANY Cell Resource Centre: [6438] [6438] Fax: 204-942-2146 204-982-5599 11 1-866-982-6599 mvw.mgeu.ca /7 A of the National Union of Public and General Emnlovees (CLC. SEPTEMBER 14, 2015 PAGE 2 Winnipeg is fortunate to have a dedicated and professional team of ambulance-based paramedics who dedicate themselves daily to providing quality patient care under adverse conditions. Once again, We want to thank you for support of your leadership teamm other on the job each day. As always, if you have any concerns or questions please don?t hesitate to get in touch at 204-982-6438. In Solidarity, ?y Michelle Gawronsky MGEU President MG/sjm acte 1725