Will B.C. paramedics vote to strike? What job action could mean for patients

The union representing ambulance paramedics is warning of the potentially dire consequences of an overtime ban ahead of a scheduled strike vote.

Could job action leave ambulances in B.C. sitting empty? The union representing paramedics says it could—as it warns of the potential for “life-threatening” consequences.

Ambulance Paramedics of B.C., which is in contract negotiations, is calling for mediator to be appointed as it warns of an upcoming strike vote and what that might mean for patients.

Union spokesperson Ian Tait said the province’s ambulance service is only kept afloat by union members working overtime.

“There’s times where I’ve been at work where the entire shift is people working on overtime,” he explained.

And that reality could prove a problem.

Tait said that while essential service levels mean B.C. wouldn’t ever see all paramedics walk off the job, there would still be impacts.

“If members decide, in this climate, they don’t want to work overtime anywhere near to the levels that they work, it is going to have profound implications, especially in rural, remote and Indigenous communities,” he said.

“We consider any type of strike, regardless of essential service orders, to be life threatening for the citizens that we serve and we’re really just trying to do everything we can to get a mediator installed.”

The Health Employers Association of B.C. said, in a statement, that safeguards are in place to mitigate risk to the public.

“(B.C.) has robust essential services requirements for the health sector to prevent immediate and serious danger to the health of the public in the case of any job action,” a spokesperson wrote.

“At this time, there are still outstanding Essential Service Orders that need to be issued by the Labour Relations Board for all health sector worksites in the province before any health-care union/bargaining association can engage in legal job action.”

Meanwhile, the union said it’s calling for veteran mediator Vince Ready to help with contract negotiations.

The union said the sticking point “flex money” which can be used for things like increasing night shift premiums or overtime pay.

The HEABC said it’s invited the union back to the bargaining table.