The Ambulance Paramedics of British Columbia (APBC) has issued a cautionary alert to the public about the possibility of job disruptions following unsuccessful negotiations with their employer.
Representing a significant workforce of over 4,500 ambulance paramedics and dispatchers, the APBC initiated talks for a new collective agreement with the provincially-operated BC Emergency Health Services back in September. Despite some initial progress during negotiations, discussions reached a standstill just before the holiday season, as conveyed in a statement released by the APBC on Tuesday.
Jason Jackson, President and Lead Negotiator for the union, expressed the potential for job action among union members, including the consideration of a strike, emphasizing their unexpected predicament. He underscored the union’s apprehensions about the repercussions if the government does not engage earnestly in the negotiations.
Highlighting the vital role played by paramedics in bridging healthcare gaps within the province, particularly during times of emergency room closures due to staffing deficiencies, the APBC raised concerns over unstaffed ambulances and numerous vacant positions statewide. Jackson stressed the urgent need for improvements in wages, benefits, and wellness programs to retain skilled professionals and, in turn, prevent adverse impacts on communities.
The APBC’s key demands include bolstered mental health support for frontline staff, safeguards against outsourcing jobs to non-union workers, and optimized service distribution models for rural areas. In anticipation of potential job disruptions, the union is actively designing essential service protocols for paramedics and dispatchers, reiterating their reluctance towards resorting to such measures.
1130 NewsRadio has sought comment from B.C.’s Ministry of Health regarding this matter.