After months of bargaining for a fair contract, CUPE 4911 has issued official notice to the County of Peterborough. Frontline paramedics will begin strike action on Monday, November 16, 2026, at 6:00 a.m. if a fair agreement is not reached before then.
While we remain hopeful that a deal can be reached, the County has spent far more effort preparing for a strike than preventing one. Instead of bargaining in good faith, they are busy briefing community partners like PRHC—putting local healthcare allies in a difficult spot rather than fixing the crisis at the table. Our requests to return to bargaining have been ignored, while they attempt to sow division and uncertainty among the public and our allies.
What This Means for Our Community
• Emergency 9-1-1 Service Continues: Under our Essential Ambulance Services Agreement (EASA), emergency medical calls will still be answered. If you have a medical emergency, call 9-1-1.
• Reduced Service Levels: Overall frontline ambulance staffing will be reduced by 20%. Non-emergency programs—including Community Paramedicine and specialty teams—will pause during the labour disruption. If you are in the Community Paramedic program and experience an emergency, call 9-1-1.
• Possible Delays: Emergency calls are answered based on dispatch priority. Reduced staffing levels may lead to longer wait times for an ambulance to arrive.
Why We Are Taking This Stand
Paramedics in Peterborough County and the City of Peterborough are facing a severe retention and burnout crisis. We are fighting for:
• Fair Wages: Closing the wage gap with other local first responders to retain experienced paramedics and recruit new hires.
• Adequate Mental Health Support: Securing meaningful psychological care for frontline workers exposed to daily trauma.
• A Sustainable Service: Ensuring our community has a reliable, fully staffed, and experienced emergency service for years to come.
We never wanted to reach this point, but some things are worth fighting for. We are committed to providing Peterborough County with the best care possible, and we need meaningful change to make that happen. Our bargaining team remains ready to negotiate around the clock to reach a fair deal and avoid disruption.
How You Can Help
Stand with your local paramedics! Send a message to County and City Council urging them to invest in emergency care:
Visit cupe.ca/PeterboroughParamedics
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
