Canadian FFs Union Declines Extra Pay During Pandemic

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The union representing a Canadian city's firefighters and paramedics is declining additional pay related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Canadian officials have proposed a "pandemic pay benefit" of up to $1,000 for essential workers during the global health crisis, the Winnipeg Free Press reports. But in a letter to Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister, the president of the United Firefighters of Winnipeg said the compensation shouldn't go to firefighters and paramedics.

"Our work has always been dangerous and demanding, and this is already recognized in the auspices of the collective agreement that we have negotiated with our employer," Alex Forrest, the head of the fire union, wrote. "We are proud to honour this agreement and even in this challenging time we expect no more and no less than what our contract provides."

Forrest told the Free Press that he wrote the letter after learning some members felt other essential workers needed the extra pay more. 

On Wednesday, Pallister said the officials would be talking with business and labor leaders to see how to distribute the province's share of Canada's $4 billion relief plan for essential workers. Under the plan, workers on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic could receive a one-time payment of as much as $1,000, according to the Free Press.