“JOB ACTION” WOULD BE A MORE ACCURATE description of what the British Columbia paramedics will be doing, but on Saturday the 3,600-mamber Ambulance Paramedics of B. C. voted overwhelmingly by 96% to 4% to issue the required 72-hour notice of a “strike action” to begin on Wednesday morning. The notice was released yesterday, Sunday.
The medics will continue to answer emergency calls and give the usual full care and treatment that the citizens deserve. However, they will begin job actions to paralyze the administrative functions of the Provincial service, such as not recording standard paperwork of the calls, issuing billing information and refusing voluntary overtime.
BCAS photo
The current work contract expires Tuesday night and negotiations have been ongoing for months with no tangible progress. The medics are asking for a 4-year contract with a 4% pay increase in each of the four years. The government is steadfastly demanding a 1-year agreement with only a 3% pay raise. The union says the province’s latest offer would make B.C. paramedics the lowest-paid emergency-service workers in the province.
The paramedics are able to put increased pressure on the legislature because it is facing a mandatory April 14 deadline to dissolve in preparation for the next election. Any contract approval will have to be met before that happens.
CTV News has a good summary of the situation HERE.
Ambulance Paramedics of British Columbia WEBSITE.
British Columbia Ambulance Service WEBSITE.
