BC's Ambulance Paramedics, dispatchers ratify contract agreement

BC EHS Ambulance standing by for a call at the 
Prince Rupert Ambulance Station

The provincial government has announced another successful contract negotiation through its Shared Recovery Mandate program, with the province's Ambulance paramedics and Dispatchers ratifying a recent agreement that had been negotiated.

The new contract will cover approximately 5,000 paramedics and ambulance dispatchers across British Columbia. The two components are represented by two unions.

The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 873 represents the employees in the ambulance service. Paramedics and ambulance dispatchers are employees of BC Emergency Health Services (BCEHS), which is part of Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA).

Among the three key areas of note from the new agreement 

Three-year term - April 1, 2022, to March 31, 2025 general wage increases: 

Year 1 – a flat increase of $0.25 per hour, which provides a greater percentage increase for lower-paid employees, plus a wage increase of 3.24% Year 2 – 5.5% plus a potential cost-of-living adjustment to a maximum of 6.75% Year 3 – 2% plus a potential cost-of-living adjustment to a maximum of 3% 

A negotiable flexibility allocation for as much as 0.25% in years 1 and 2 to support mutually beneficial outcomes for both parties.

Of note for rural regions of the province were improvements to on call coverage and response times in rural and remote communities. Those were issues that were of significant concern last summer as the situation expanded to increased use of Prince Rupert Firefighters to help backfill some of the calls.

As well as provisions on Indigenous-specific anti-racism initiatives, including paid leave to support Indigenous employees in connecting with cultural and spiritual beliefs. 

 The new contract language also has a dedication towards more diversity

The full announcement  from the BC Government can be reviewed here.

A wider overview of themes from the Legislature is available here.

Notes on the work of Emergency Responders in the Northwest are available here.