This fight is not political

There comes a point in every labor dispute where the public must ask what is being fought for. And in the case of the Fire and Ambulance Department, that answer remains clear, consistent, and unchanged.

This fight is not political.

It never was.

What the men and women of the Fire Department are fighting for is professional respect, safety, fairness, and the honoring of agreements reached in good faith. These are not demands driven by ego or influence; they are grounded in operational reality and the responsibility to protect lives.

It must also be stated clearly that the mediator involved in this process was initially proposed by the Government. That proposal was reviewed, and the Fire and Ambulance Department agreed to proceed with the Government’s submission in good faith, demonstrating openness and a genuine willingness to resolve the matter constructively. In addition, the department proposed two alternative mediators, further reflecting its commitment to fairness and balance. Those alternative proposals, however, were not taken into consideration.

Throughout the mediation process, the appointed mediator conducted herself on neutral and professional grounds, facilitating dialogue without bias or political alignment. Her role was to bridge differences, not to advance agendas—and that neutrality was respected by all parties.

The union itself must also be properly understood. The union is not a political body. It does not act independently or arbitrarily. The union exists to serve its members, and its authority comes directly from us. We, as Fire and Ambulance personnel, give the union its mandate. The union moves when the members say move, and it stops when the members say stop. This action is not union-driven in isolation; it is member-driven, born out of collective experience, shared frustration, and repeated administrative inaction.

From within the department, it is important that the public understands this reality: firefighters and ambulance personnel are trained to de-escalate, to assess risk, and to resolve situations calmly. Conflict is not our instinct. Escalation is always the last resort, not the first. Before reaching this stage, internal discussions were attempted, formal correspondence was sent, legal frameworks were referenced, and patience was exercised far beyond what is reasonable in a profession where lives depend on clarity and preparedness.

What makes the current situation especially difficult to reconcile is this: the Minister verbally agreed to retroactive application and to the placement process, with the sole exception being the date referenced in the Function Book. That understanding was clear and accepted in good faith by the Fire Department.

Based on that verbal agreement, the department did what any professional organization would do—it reduced the agreement to writing and submitted it for signature. This was not an act of escalation or confrontation; it was a standard and responsible step to ensure clarity, accountability, and proper implementation.

It was at this point—when the agreement was put in writing for confirmation—that the process stalled and the problems began. Seeking written confirmation of a verbal agreement is not unreasonable, particularly when the matters involved affect careers, structure, and the lawful placement of personnel. Written agreements protect all parties and prevent future dispute.

To then step back from that understanding, or to treat the matter as unresolved, has created unnecessary tension and uncertainty within the department—conditions that no emergency service should be forced to operate under.

So yes, the public should pause and ask what is being fought for. The answer remains simple: respect, transparency, safety, and accountability for the men and women who show up when others are in crisis.

When every door has been knocked on, every meeting requested, every letter sent, and every compromise explored—sometimes the only remaining path is to stand visible, united, and steadfast. That is not politics. That is principle.

Negotiation Team
Fire and Ambulance Department

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