APBC Press Releases | Ambulance Paramedics of BC

APBC Press Releases

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January 18, 2010

RICHMOND – The provincial government’s report on the BC Ambulance Service released today appears to live up to paramedics’ predictions that it would be of little practical use in addressing the complex and pressing issues facing deteriorating ambulance services.

The Trumpy Report may be viewed at http://www.apbc.ca/preleases/20100118trumpy.pdf

December 14, 2009

VANCOUVER —The CUPE 873 bargaining team is set to meet with representatives of the BC Ambulance Service Wednesday and Thursday. Talks for a new collective agreement started last week.
Ambulance Paramedics of BC bargaining team spokesman John Horsfield said he is “cautiously optimistic” after last week’s session. “We are engaged in broad discussions of the issues facing the ambulance service – that’s a positive development.”

December 10, 2009

VANCOUVER —Representatives of the BC Ambulance Service agree with ambulance paramedics on one thing – that the provincial model is the only option for a viable and sustainable ambulance service in B.C.

November 18, 2009

PRINCE GEORGE—CUPE is holding a march and rally Friday, Nov. 20 to protest repressive Bill 21 “back-to-work” legislation passed by the provincial government. The rally will take place outside Liberal MLA Shirley Bond’s Prince George - Valemont constituency office.

November 17, 2009

VANCOUVER – CUPE 873 president John Strohmaier has told the provincial government that ambulance paramedics will not be taking part in a “sham” industrial inquiry commission.
The Liberal government announced the commission as part of its Bill 21, which forced the province’s 3,500 paramedics to end their seven-month legal strike on Nov. 7. The government’s version of a commission is to check into bargaining structure and possibly look at rural issues, with a final report deadline of Dec. 15, 2009.

November 16, 2009

VANCOUVER - The BC Ambulance Service has withdrawn its “illegal strike” claims against ambulance paramedics and their union, CUPE 873.
After three days of BCAS chief Lee Doney loudly proclaiming that paramedics acted irresponsibly and that patients were put at risk, the BCAS quietly withdrew its application before the LRB late this afternoon.

November 6, 2009

VANCOUVER-CUPE members, striking (but still working) Ambulance Paramedics, CUPE 873, and labour supporters will hold a midday rally outside the Vancouver Olympic Organizing Committee (VANOC) headquarters in Vancouver Friday. The B.C. Liberal government introduced repressive “back-to-work” legislation against the paramedics in the middle of collective bargaining following a demand from VANOC to bring the strike to an end before the 2010 Games.

Supporters of democracy and fair collective bargaining will be at the rally asking "Who is running British Columbia?" and "When will our ambulance paramedics get a fair collective agreement?"

November 3, 2009

VICTORIA - A memo from VANOC to the provincial ambulance service appears to be behind the government’s move to legislate B.C.’s 3,500 striking ambulance paramedics “back to work” in the middle of collective bargaining.

October 21, 2009

RICHMOND—CUPE 873, Ambulance Paramedics of BC, gave a strong endorsement to their Executive Committee by returning all incumbents.

“This is a vote of confidence in our fight to improve ambulance services,” says CUPE 873 president John Strohmaier. “We are united as we move this strike forward.”

October 1, 2009

VANCOUVER— CUPE BC president Barry O’Neill has slammed the head of the BC Ambulance Service for “fear mongering”.

O’Neill’s comments came during negotiations between striking Ambulance Paramedics of BC (CUPE 873), and the provincial government. The government delivered a “settlement offer” Monday, which CUPE 873 president John Strohmaier told his members he would present to them for a vote. He has called the offer “repugnant” and said the executive and bargaining committee will not be recommending acceptance.

Ambulance Service CEO Lee Doney broke a mutually-agreed on media blackout Tuesday claiming concerns over patient care and service levels based on his interpretation of a confidential bargaining memo from John Strohmaier to 873 members detailing the plans to consult the membership.

September 29, 2009

VANCOUVER—The CUPE 873 bargaining team is taking the government’s latest “settlement offer” to members across the province. Ambulance Paramedics of BC president John Strohmaier announced the tour today.
“The employer (BC Ambulance Service) has implied that our bargaining team and our executive don’t represent our members,” Strohmaier said, “so we have decided to consult directly with our 3,500 members on their latest proposal.” Strohmaier said the executive will be strongly recommending rejection of the offer, calling it “repugnant”. But he added that “it will be the members who ultimately decide on the offer by weighing in with their collective voice.”

September 18, 2009

RICHMOND— BC ambulance paramedics will only work their regularly scheduled shifts at their assigned ambulance stations and their primary operators as of 6pm today. They say “it’s time to take action to protect our health and safety.”

September 15, 2009

VANCOUVER—Representatives of 3,500 striking Ambulance Paramedics of BC, CUPE 873, have forwarded an offer for settlement to the BC Ambulance Service. CUPE BC president Barry O’Neill said he is hopeful the offer will lead to a settlement in the protracted dispute, which began on April 1.

September 1, 2009

VICTORIA—The Liberals ignored B.C.’s deteriorating ambulance service in today’s budget speech, despite the five-month-long strike by the province’s 3,500 paramedics for better services. Ambulance Paramedics of BC president John Strohmaier called the government’s failure to address the crisis in the budget speech “another missed opportunity,” adding, “the BC Liberals keep saying they won’t intervene, but their failure to intervene is what is keeping us from a fair settlement.”

August 17, 2009

TRAIL—Ambulance Paramedics of BC are picketing at the Castlegar District Health Centre (Unit 709 – 10th Street, Castlegar) this morning in response to the BC Ambulance Service taking the only Critical Care paramedic in the West Kootenays off shift without notice.

August 6, 2009

VANCOUVER—Ambulance Paramedics of BC – CUPE 873 report that the number of people logging onto their website has doubled in the past two weeks. We’ve had thousands of visitors to our site this week alone, says Ambulance Paramedics of BC president John Strohmaier. Strohmaier noted that as more people are finding out about the strike, paramedics are getting more offers of support from the general public.

July 29, 2009

VANCOUVER—The Supreme Court of BC would not permit the contempt charges the government attempted to bring against the Ambulance Paramedics of BC yesterday due to short notice, requiring the application to follow the rules of the Court. The judge also would not grant the employer’s application for alternative relief during the Celebration of Lights events, ruling that the type of relief the employer sought was under the exclusive jurisdiction of the Labour Relations Board.

July 28, 2009

VANCOUVER—Ambulance Paramedics of BC – CUPE 873 are expected to be in the Supreme Court today to answer charges that they are in contempt of the essential services order that they continue to work under.
Ambulance Paramedics of BC president John Strohmaier says that the government is trying to deal with the longstanding labour dispute in the courts, instead of at the bargaining table.

July 27, 2009

VANCOUVER—Respected television and print journalist Harvey Oberfeld has added his voice to those urging government action to bring the BC Ambulance Paramedic’s strike to an end.
Oberfeld commented that being forced to work overtime through essential services was “almost like slavery” when speaking this morning on CFUN 1410.

July 22, 2009

VANCOUVER–CUPE 873, Ambulance Paramedics of BC, are raising concerns about public safety for tonight’s opening event for the annual Celebration of Lights fireworks festival.

July 21, 2009

VANCOUVER–Striking ambulance paramedics will be donning T-shirts to remind the government that they are still on strike.
“The government has got to stop ignoring this critical situation,” says CUPE 873 president John Strohmaier. “Members are getting increasingly frustrated by the government’s unwillingness to take action to fix our broken ambulance system.”

July 3, 2009

VANCOUVER - Frustrated by provincial government inaction, striking Ambulance Paramedics in BC have launched a TV advertising campaign. The ads call on the public to pressure the BC government to appoint an independent arbitrator to settle the three-month-old dispute..”

June 23, 2009

VANCOUVER - Ambulance Paramedics of BC president John Strohmaier is calling on Health Minister Kevin Falcon to intervene in the stalled paramedics’ dispute. He says the matter “could place the BC Ambulance Service and the patients it serves at extreme risk.”

June 23, 2009

DAWSON CREEK - The leadership of the striking Ambulance Paramedics of B.C. are on a province-wide tour to consult with their 3,500 members. The CUPE 873 members have been on strike since April 1 but the provincial government has appeared unwilling to negotiate a new contract.

June 19, 2009

VANCOUVER – Labour Relations Board mediator Mark Atkinson adjourned talks between the Ambulance Paramedics of BC and the BC Ambulance Service Friday afternoon. No date has been set for any further meetings between the two sides in the protracted dispute.

June 18, 2009

VANCOUVER – Paramedics say their talks with the BC Ambulance Service are stalled. The bargaining committee for the 3,500 members of CUPE 873 met with the BCAS today for a response to a comprehensive union proposal (including monetary items) presented to the employer last week.

June 12, 2009

VANCOUVER - Paramedics say two days of talks with the BC Ambulance Service went nowhere fast. Ambulance Paramedics of BC, CUPE 873 president John Strohmaier said hopes for serious negotiations were dashed when the employer’s bargaining team failed to present any concrete proposals and seemed not to have a mandate to negotiate. “They appeared ill-prepared to make any decisions at all.

June 8, 2009

VICTORIA - Striking ambulance paramedics made their voices heard in Victoria today. More than 200 CUPE 873 members held a noisy demonstration outside on the steps of the B.C. Legislature, while inside Gordon Campbell and the B.C. Liberals were being sworn-in to a third term.

June 5, 2009

VICTORIA - Striking ambulance paramedics are heading to Victoria Monday to greet the new provincial government and remind MLAs that they are still on strike. Paramedics from across the province are planning to converge outside the B.C. Legislature during the official swearing- in ceremony at 12 Noon Monday.

June 2, 2009

VANCOUVER—Striking ambulance paramedics are set to meet with the BC Ambulance Service for contract talks June 11-12. The two days of negotiations follow a month of high-level meetings spearheaded by CUPE BC president Barry O’Neill to get the employer back to the table with CUPE 873.

May 15, 2009

VANCOUVER – Striking ambulance paramedics say their employer is intent on intimidating and disciplining ambulance crews who perform the proper legal safety checks on their ambulances.

May 11, 2009

KELOWNA – Two Ambulance Paramedics put their jobs on the line by safety checking their vehicle. The two were suspended without pay today and told to expect a disciplinary hearing and possible firing after they insisted on completing the daily safety check of their ambulance. Striking ambulance paramedics are picketing regional offices in response..

May 5, 2009

VERNON – Health Services Minister George Abbott insists Premier Gordon Campbell’s interaction with striking paramedics in Vernon last week was a joke.

May 1, 2009

VERNON – Premier Gordon Campbell tossed a loonie at a striking ambulance paramedic Wednesday and told him “here, don’t spend it all in one place.” The unidentified paramedic answered “thanks a lot, that’s half an hour’s pay for me.” BC Ambulance Paramedics get only $2/hr for on-call standby.

April 28, 2009

VANCOUVER – B.C. Ambulance Paramedics have major safety concerns about the potential for spreading swine flu. The 3,500 ambulance attendants say the problem is their respirators. The B.C. Ambulance Service is obligated to maintain adequate supplies and “fit test” paramedics annually to make sure their masks are effective. But the paramedics say many of them “haven’t been tested in years.” They say some locations and ambulances don’t have masks and that if they do, they often don’t seal properly - making them less effective at stopping possible infection and transmission of flu...

April 24, 2009

VICTORIA - More than 500 CUPE members and supporters joined striking B.C. Ambulance Paramedics in a mid-day march protesting government inaction.
A sea of fluorescent green jackets and a forest of CUPE flags made its way from the CUPE BC annual convention to a rally outside a "temporary" ambulance station housed for the past eight years in a hotel near the B.C. Legislature.

April 23, 2009

SALMON ARM – Minister of Health Services George Abbott failed to meet with striking B.C. ambulance paramedics yesterday as promised.

April 22, 2009

VICTORIA – More than 500 CUPE BC delegates are expected to join striking ambulance paramedics and supporters Friday for a march past the B.C. Legislature. The delegates are in Victoria for the Canadian Union of Public Employees’ BC Division convention.

April 17, 2009

SALMON ARM – Striking ambulance paramedics say they are cautiously optimistic after a two-hour meeting today with Health Services Minister George Abbott.

April 15, 2009

VANCOUVER— BC Health Minister George Abbott has rejected calls for negotiations with striking ambulance paramedics.

April 9, 2009

VICTORIA–BC Minister of Health George Abbott has finally responded to calls from striking ambulance paramedics for a return to the bargaining table with a mediator. Ambulance Paramedics of BC president John Strohmaier said Abbot contacted him Thursday morning and suggested a possible meeting with ministry representatives to discuss the situation.

April 3, 2009

March 31, 2009

Ambulance Paramedics of BC set up picket lines early Wednesday in strike for better ambulance service, fair wages and working conditions – vow to take dispute to public during election

March 29, 2009

Ambulance Paramedics of BC warn B.C. Liberal government that legislation to impose contract will neither resolve dispute with paramedics nor improve rapidly deteriorating ambulance response times, following bargaining report released to Labour Minister today

February 24, 2009

Ambulance Paramedics of BC vote to strike if necessary to reach new collective agreement with BC government to get better ambulance service and obtain fair wages and working conditions; no job action yet planned – mediator requested

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