The union representing paramedics, dispatchers and emergency call-takers in B.C. says its members have formally ratified the new collective agreement it reached with the province last month. More than 80 per cent of Ambulance Paramedics of BC members voted in favour of the new contract, the union said in a news release Saturday. The agreement reached Feb. 20 avoided strike action after talks between the union and the provincial government broke down in December and January. Union members had voted overwhelmingly to strike in the days before the tentative agreement was reached. On Saturday, APBC called the new contract “a step forward in improving compensation, benefits, working conditions and support systems” for its more than 6,000 members. “Paramedics and dispatchers show up for British Columbians every day, often during the most difficult moments in people’s lives,” said union president Jason Jackson, in the release. “This agreement reflects the strength of our membership and the support we continue to see from the public for the critical work paramedics and dispatchers do in communities across the province.” Implementation of the agreement, including retroactive payments and putting new provisions in place, will begin immediately, the union said.
