I spent ten years working in a "Unionized environment " for the city of Toronto's Ambulance Department. That meant that a newly hired Ambulance Attendant started at a specific hourly wage, and after 6 months of probation, they became a permanent employee of the department. Every year, on the date of their having become permanent, their hourly rate of pay went up to the next level. At 5 years of service, they were at the highest pay rate. When a new Union contract was agreed to, each pay rate went up, and so did the amount of benefits payable to each Attendant.
So what is my point ? In a Canadian union work place, no one person is going to get paid a "bonus " that the others do not get. An individual MAY get a Award, or a trophy ( for being a safe driver, for instance ) but cash payments are unheard of here. The Province of Ontario does award Ambulance Paramedics with a medal for superior performance in their duties, as well as Medals for Police and Fire Service members. The Federal Government has a series of National Awards for bravery, and or heroic deeds, for Emergency Service members. JimB.
