More than 60 emergency medical dispatchers on strike in N.S.

A smartphone is shown with 911 dialed on its touchscreen in this promotional police photo. (Supplied/Ontario Provincial Police)

Dozens of emergency medical dispatchers in Nova Scotia are now on strike.

The strike involving more than 60 Emergency Medical Care Inc. (EMC) workers officially got underway Friday at 7:15 p.m. The workers answer medical 911 calls and dispatch ground and air ambulances across Nova Scotia.

The employees are members of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) Local 15 – Nova Scotia Medical Communications (NSMC).

“Essential services will continue during the strike under a Labour Board-imposed essential services agreement (ESA). Management will operate the communications centre from Friday evening to Sunday evening each week,” said a news release from CUPW Friday evening.

A strike notice was issued Tuesday by CUPW to EMC.

According to CUPW, the union has been bargaining with the employer since June 2025. It said the two parties “remain far apart on key issues, including wages, staffing and working conditions.”

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