March 2019 Member Newsletter

 
President’s Update “We’ve now completed twenty-five full days of bargaining. We’re now scheduled to continue, seven days a week, until we hopefully reach a tentative agreement. All proposals from both the Union and Employer have been tabled, over sixty in total.” 

Secretary Treasurer Update ” ‘Lev Hours’ stands for levelling hours. With a 4 on – 4 off shift pattern, we end up with two pay periods in a row where we’ve worked eight shifts, and two pay periods in a row where we’ve worked six shifts.  Our wages are averaged over the year, in other words, we don’t get a big cheque for two pay periods and then a little pay cheque for two pay periods
 
Provincial Executive Board Training “Members of the Provincial Executive Board attended a training day on February 15th immediately after the regularly scheduled board meeting in Vancouver.”   

BC First Responders Mental Health Conference “I was privileged to attend the first annual BC First Responders Mental Health Conference on Jan 31st and Feb 1st. This conference brought together over 350 people who all have a vested interest in supporting the mental health of first responders, including paramedics & dispatchers, fire, police, & border services, to name just a few.”   

Ceremonial Unit Spotlight “Meet Ryan Sharp: My career with BCEHS started in 2001 in Chetwynd starting as a Paramedic 1.  I moved to Prince Rupert in 2004 where I worked land, air, and sea. I moved to Maple Ridge in 2007 while working out of the Maderia Park Station. In 2008 I went full time in Port Moody.”