Striking paramedics for the British Columbia Ambulance Service.
Photograph by: Ian Smith, Vancouver Sun
VICTORIA -- The British Columbia government introduced legislation Monday that would impose a contract on B.C.'s striking paramedics.
"With the H1N1 pandemic impacting the acute care system and winter and the holiday season fast approaching, the public needs certainty that they'll have the care they need in an emergency," Health Services Minister Kevin Falcon said in a news release.
"The decision to introduce this legislation was a difficult one and certainly not one that we take lightly. But it was clear that after seven months of failed attempts to reach an agreement and with no hope for a negotiated settlement in sight, we had to act."
Falcon said the settlement outlined in the Ambulance Service Collective Agreement Act reflects the latest offer made to the union in September.
The one-year deal is retroactive to April 1, 2009, and includes a competitive compensation increase of three per cent, in line with wage increases for other public sector workers in 2009.
The move comes with less than a month to go in the current legislative session -- the last regular sitting of the house before the 2010 Winter Olympic Games.
Paramedics have been on strike in B.C. since April 1, but are working under an essential services order from the provincial government. Negotiations have been strained throughout much of that time.
In September, the president of CUPE Local 873 -- the union representing the striking paramedics -- told his members the latest contract offer at that time was "repugnant" and "a piece of crap,"
"We could never recommend this settlement proposal to our membership," John Strohmaier wrote in late September, calling the offer at that time "woefully short of reasonable expectations."
Last month, Falcon would not speak directly about potential back-to-work legislation, but stressed a need to resolve the strike.
"The negotiations are dragging on," he said, going on to suggest the paramedics needed to lower their demands.
"I think the paramedics have to understand that this isn't the era in which they're going to get every dream they hope for in terms of a settlement," he added.
"They need to be reasonable and respectful of the economic climate we find ourselves in and try to get to a deal."
According to news releases issued over the past few months by both sides, the CUPE Local 873 and the Ambulance Service have agreed to a three-per-cent wage increase.
The union has asked for an extra 1.2-per-cent "labour market adjustment," similar to what B.C. nurses were recently given.
The union has also asked for a signing bonus, similar to what the government offered to other public-sector workers that reached new deals before the end of their previous contracts.
The Ambulance Service had said it is not willing to offer the bonus.
It has said it will approve the extra 1.2-per-cent increase, but only if extra savings can be found within the existing contract.
jfowlie@vancouversun.com
jfowlie@vancouversun.com
© Copyright (c) The Victoria Times Colonist
Striking paramedics for the British Columbia Ambulance Service.
Photograph by: Ian Smith, Vancouver Sun
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ehs
November 03, 2009 - 9:01 PM
HEY "CD"
. . . Have you done this job, let alone have ANY idea what this job entails? When you do, feel free to make () comments like the one you just did. But if you had worked as a paramedic, your eyes would stunned as to what we see on a daily basis, to say the least.
To CD
November 03, 2009 - 7:47 PM
What power is that. As soon as the ambulance paramedics went on strike to bargain a collective agreement, it was slapped with an ESO (essential service order) with rules within the order to maintain normal ambulance service. It handcuffed the union by making impossible to put pressure on the employer to come to the table with a compromising offer. Instead that just came back with the basically the same offer for the past 7 months waiting for the opportune time to get the government to ram a legistation on the contract just in time for the olympics. The paramedics where not just fighting for wage compensation, but other issues that the paper doesn't publish. Such as hiring more full time paramedics due to the ever increasing call volume. Vancouver had 60 -70 fulltime positions that the employer wasn't willing to fill. The lower mainland has seen an increase in calls from 251,000 to 351,000 within the last 5 years, with inadequate additions of ambulances. . . .
ps
November 03, 2009 - 4:56 PM
Typical liberal government screwing the workers of this province again. Ambulance Paramedics 3% raise, Goverment 30% raise, is that fair???
Chuck Grant
November 03, 2009 - 3:54 PM
It is unfortunate that people do not read the issues. With being legislated back there is no resolution to the shortage of ambulances and crewes. It is not because of job action that there is shortages. They are short crews and resources and are overworked. They get burnt out and sick just like any other human being in those work conditions. If Mr. Falcon has any truth to his statments then I am sure he will address the problem which is most needed in this time of "pandemic" and "crisis"...
Quit
November 03, 2009 - 3:19 PM
Honestly knowing what the paramedics get paid and what is asked of them they should quit and force the governments hand. What would you do then Dictator Campbell???
lost hope student paramedic
November 03, 2009 - 2:07 PM
Since when can the government simply decide that a legal strike isn't in their best interest, and order it over? There go my illusions of a country AGAINST forced labour. Mr. Campbell, do you realize your fired yet?
brad
November 03, 2009 - 1:15 PM
me, I think it's utter crap that they get legislated back to work when they were in the process of voting on the offer.
John Doe
November 03, 2009 - 12:48 PM
@ CD: If it wasn't for the unions, you'd still be making pittance while the actual elite would be called King of the kingdom. There's a reason why unions came to be in the first place. Is it perfect? No. But, at least it gives a voice to the small worker.
Pedro
November 03, 2009 - 12:45 PM
"I think the paramedics have to understand that this isn't the era in which they're going to get every dream they hope for in terms of a settlement. They need to be reasonable and respectful of the economic climate we find ourselves in and try to get to a deal," Falcon added.
Well, but, you didn't seem to have a problem with that when it came time for all MPs to receive a HUGE pay increase, eh???
So, all workers have to tighten their belts, but not the big CEOs, executives or MPs.
CD
November 03, 2009 - 10:52 AM
I think its utter crap that the union has the power it does. I am tired of elite public service people thinking they have it rough.
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Thinking they have it rough. Are you kidding? The majority of the paramedic strike was to do more with public safety then anything else including wages. They wages are completely secondary to safer work conditions and public safety. The comment from the Health minister that we are in need of the Ambulance service for the harsh "Flu" season is BS and a complete cover up for the need for us for the olympics.
This ambulance strike had more thought and consideration for the public and the safety of others then this government ever has.