Ambulance paramedics prepare strike vote
Eleven unions representing 47,000 British Columbian health care workers are taking a strike vote after their contract expired at the end of last month.
The Facilities Bargaining Association (FBA) represents members who work in hospitals, care facilities and emergency health service including ambulance paramedics. Members of the union will have until the end of April to vote whether to take job action.
The unions’ current collective agreement with the province expired at the end of March, though the two sides had been in negotiations since January 2014.
“Health Employers’ [Association of BC] demands for more contracting out will cause uncertainty and instability in our hospitals, care facilities and in the community,” said chief union negotiator Bonnie Pearson.
The multi-union FBA said negotiations have stalled on such issues as employment security and the contracting out of services.
Pearson added that health employers have also rejected proposals to expand roles for the province’s paramedics, which Pearson holds would help to improve health service delivery.
The Hospital Employees’ Union represents about 85 per cent of workers covered by the contract negotiations.
Easter egg hunt
Youngsters with baskets will be scouring the beach and park at Willingdon Beach Saturday, April 19, during the Great Community Easter Egg Hunt.
City of Powell River Parks, Recreation and Culture, together with Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 798, organize the annual event for children aged 10 and under. Lots of fun and activities are in store, beginning at 10:30 am.
