Striking British Columbia Paramedics Forced Back to Work

After more than seven months since the British Columbia paramedics union, CUPE 873, commenced strike action, the provincial government has passed a motion forcing ambulance staff back to work.

The government's action, which was opposed by the New Democratic Party, forces a one-year on the union and includes a three per cent pay raise. "We’ve got a health care challenge in B.C. and we need all parties working together," Kevin Falcon, BC's Health Minister, told 24 Hours. "Every day the strike continues increases the risk to patients and it’s my view we cannot go another day with the ambulance paramedic system operating at less than its full potential." But although the ambulance workers had been on strike since April 1, service for most residents of the province went uninterrupted, thanks to an Essential Services Order employed by the government. Such an order is meant to ensure at least a minimum standard of service from critical public service areas, such as police and fire fighters. Job actions were mainly limited to staff wearing "On Strike" t-shirts, and applying banners to ambulances, along with rallies and media events. Nevertheless, the Province has claimed that wildcat work disruptions have negatively affected service during the past several months. Union officials are furious with the government's action, and John Strohmeier, President of the Ambulance Paramedics of BC, told CBC News that the government may not receive full compliance with the new order. "It's an insult to our paramedics and to all working people for them to say they respect paramedics and then vote to make this attack on the democratic rights of collective bargaining," said CUPE BC President Barry O'Neill in a press release. O'Neill has stated that he believes a memo sent to the Province from VANOC, the organisation overseeing the 2010 Winter Olympics, may be behind the Province's decision. As reported by The Tyee, the memo raises concerns about ambulance service during the games, and possible alternatives to prevent the games' cancellation. But Minister Falcon denied the memo played a role. Major issues in negotiations included wages and staffing issues, including the status of on-call paramedics in smaller communities.