Peterborough City-County Paramedics have delivered a near-unanimous strike mandate as contract negotiations continue with their employer.
CUPE Local 4911 says 185 of the 187 members who cast ballots voted in favour of strike action. In total, 187 of the bargaining unit’s 193 members participated in the vote, resulting in a 99 per cent mandate.
The union says bargaining began in March and members are seeking improvements to mental health benefits, compensation and workplace injury protections, along with measures to address recruitment and retention.
“Paramedics don’t want to strike. We want to do our jobs, taking care of patients while we build our career in Peterborough,” CUPE 4911 president Jordan Lean said.
According to the union, full-time paramedics currently receive $500 annually in mental health coverage, while part-time members do not receive mental health benefits. CUPE says it is seeking improved coverage as part of negotiations.
The union also says 54 full- and part-time paramedics have left the service over the past three years, citing factors including increasing call volumes, workplace support and wages and benefits available elsewhere.
CUPE reports workplace injuries among its members increased by 50 per cent between 2024 and 2025 and says 14 per cent of full-time paramedics were off because of workplace injuries in 2025. Those figures are claims from the union.
Earlier this year, CUPE 4911 members delivered a petition signed by roughly 80 per cent of frontline paramedics calling for action on staffing, burnout and retention.
The strike vote gives the union a mandate for potential job action but does not mean a strike is underway.
The two sides are scheduled to return to the bargaining table on October 6.
