Emergency communications (E-COMM) professionals have voted 95 per cent in favour of strike action.
In a release, the CUPE 8911, which represents the workers, states that this “underscores growing concerns about staffing, workload, and long-term sustainability of the 9-1-1 system.”
E-COMM personnel state that they are part of the most stressful and uncertain moments people experience, and this takes a vast toll on them.
They answer 99 per cent of the initial 911 calls in B.C. and provide dispatch services for police and fire agencies across the province.
“This vote reflects the reality frontline staff are facing every day,” said Donald Grant, President of CUPE 8911. “Our members are under increasing pressure, and they need an agreement that supports them and stabilizes the system.”
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Workers are looking for an agreement that includes fair wages that reflect the responsibilities and complexity of the job they do, safe staffing levels, and improved health and wellness supports.“This is what it takes to have a strong, sustainable system,” said Grant. “Investing in workers is investing in public safety and a system people can rely on in critical moments.”CUPE 8911 stated that strike action is always a last resort. The parties are currently negotiating an essential services order, and once that process is complete, workers will be in a legal strike position.“The results of this vote make it clear that workers need more support,” said Grant. “That support is critical to maintaining a stable, reliable 9-1-1 system. With negotiations resuming Friday, we’re ready to move forward and reach a deal, but we need to see that same commitment from the employer.”