Union for B.C. paramedics mulls job action as contract negotiations continue
Union for B.C. paramedics mulls job action as contract negotiations continue
The union for more than 4,500 paramedics in British Columbia is mulling job action as negotiations with their provincial employer fail to produce results.
The Ambulance Paramedics of British Columbia, or CUPE Local 873, began bargaining with the Health Employers Association of BC in October.
Veteran labour mediator Vince Ready agreed to step in temporarily last week to help the groups “get some common ground,” according to union president Troy Clifford. Since then, he said some progress has been made on the union’s wage disparity and service delivery model concerns, and the union is expecting a proposal that addresses them by Tuesday at the latest.
“As a result of that, we’ve scheduled all day Wednesday with Mr. Ready,” Clifford told Global News.
“Depending on how things go Wednesday, one of the things we would do is go to the membership for a strike mandate. That’s a standard process.”
A strike mandate would send a “clear message” to the employer, the provincial government, and all who provide ambulance services in B.C. that significant funding is needed to recruit and retain staff, and improve services for residents across the province, Clifford said.
Health Minister Adrian Dix said B.C. is in the midst of a “major transition” when it comes to paramedic and ambulance services. He said he’s optimistic both parties will reach a deal.
“I can’t say what the agreement will be of course, but it’s my view that we have to take strong action to recruit paramedics to rural communities and that’s what was failing prior to 2017, that’s what we’ve tried to change by moving people from casual status to permanent status,” he explained.