Paramedics launch pressure tactics against Urgences-Sant

Paramedics and ambulance drivers are about to launch a new pressure tactic against their employerUrgences-Sant.

The paramedics union says that as of midnight,they won't charge for extra time when it takes more than 15minutes to arrive after a 911 call.

The union says this means less income for Urgences-Sant, without compromising emergency services.

"Lives have been and still are in danger simply because they do not want to inject the necessary funds, saidparamedic union president, Rjean Leclerc.

Paramedics say they want to draw attention to a shortage of ambulance resources in Montreal and Laval and arecalling on Quebec's health minister, Gatan Barrette, to intervene quickly.

The action marks the end of a truce between ambulance drivers and Urgences-Sant that's been in place since last April.

• Quebec resumes talks with striking paramedics

Paramedics have been calling for more vehicles and teams since May 2013.

They say they want theprovince to create about 40 new full-time jobs.