B.C.'s paramedic union to begin bargaining amid 'unprecedented staffing crisis'
B.C.'s ambulance paramedics and emergency dispatchers are hitting the bargaining table Monday to work on a new collective agreement aimed at fixing the struggling ambulance service.
The union representing paramedics says if a critical staff shortage and burnout among staff aren't immediately addressed, the service may not survive.
Troy Clifford, BC Ambulance Paramedics and Dispatchers president, said in a statement they're pushing for an agreement that addresses issues with attracting trained paramedics.
"We are in the middle of an unprecedented staffing crisis, ambulances are sitting empty across the province, and we are
seeing the effects of understaffing and poor wages now more than ever," Clifford said in a news release.
"We are bringing real solutions to the bargaining table and what we believe can fix the ambulance service and set us on a path forward where we can finally recruit and retain staff."
Earlier this month, hundreds of job postings for paramedics were put online as part of an "expedited process" meant to fill front-line jobs. It appears a lack of human resources personnel at the Provincial Health Services Authority caused a delay that prevented hundreds of new positions from being filled.
BC Emergency Health Services confirmed with CTV News Vancouver it "agreed to a revised short-term provincial posting process to address current paramedic vacancies across the province in a timely manner…intended to expedite and streamline the hiring process."
Clifford acknowledged the recent hiring campaign, but said more work needs to be done to address burnout.
"The work environment is stressful and emotional even at the best of times, but with all these ambulances sitting empty,
our response times have turned from minutes to hours – it’s heartbreaking," he said.
"We are seeing our people burn out like never before, with over 30 per cent of our members either off work with mental health challenges or still coming to work while getting treatment for it."
Negotiations, which begin Monday, are expected to continue through the fall.
With files from CTV News Vancouver's Penny Daflos
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
'Sophisticated' cyberattacks detected on B.C. government networks, premier says
There has been a "sophisticated" cybersecurity breach detected on B.C. government networks, Premier David Eby confirmed Wednesday evening.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
Biden says he will stop sending bombs and artillery shells to Israel if they launch major invasion of Rafah
U.S. President Joe Biden said for the first time Wednesday he would halt shipments of American weapons to Israel, which he acknowledged have been used to kill civilians in Gaza, if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders a major invasion of the city of Rafah.
Canucks claw out 5-4 comeback win over Oilers in Game 1
Dakota Joshua had a goal and two assists and the Vancouver Canucks scored three third-period goals to claw out a 5-4 comeback victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 1 of their second-round playoff series Wednesday.
Nijjar murder suspect says he had Canadian study permit in immigration firm's video
One of the Indian nationals accused of murdering British Columbia Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar says in a social media video that he received a Canadian study permit with the help of an Indian immigration consultancy.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Quebec premier defends new museum on Quebecois nation after Indigenous criticism
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is defending his comments about a new history museum after he was accused by a prominent First Nations group of trying to erase their history.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.