After more than a year of bargaining, 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. on issues like wages, staffing and working conditions.
Union says it is far apart from employer on issues like wages, staffing and working conditionsAnjuli Patil · CBC News · Posted: Jul 17, 2026 8:53 PM EDT | Last Updated: 1 hour ago
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Members of CUPW Local 15 hold signs in Dartmouth on Saturday morning reading “ambulance dispatch on strike.” The union says it remains far apart from employer Emergency Medical Care Inc. after more than a year of bargaining. (Paul Poirier)
More than 60 medical dispatchers across Nova Scotia went on strike Friday evening.
After more than a year of bargaining, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers Local 15 – Nova Scotia Medical Communications said it remains far apart from the employer, Emergency Medical Care Inc., on key issues including wages, staffing, and working conditions.
However, the union confirmed it will continue to provide emergency dispatch services throughout the strike action as part of an essential services 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,” the union local 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.”
In a statement to CBC News on Friday evening, Emergency Medical Care Inc. said while it still hopes for a positive resolution, contingency plans are in place to ensure essential services remain uninterrupted during the labour disruption.
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