B.C. paramedics union ratifies agreement with the province

The Ambulance Paramedics and Emergency Dispatchers of BC (APBC) has ratified a deal with the province.

APBC’s 4,600 paramedics and emergency medical dispatchers voted 96.1 per cent in favour of ratifying the Jan. 6, 2023 agreement. The union had been without a contract since April 2022.

The agreement’s main features address changes to wages, benefits, and staffing throughout the province.

“We’re happy that many of our core concerns are being addressed and that our members trusted our executive board and negotiations committee to bring them a fair deal,” said APBC President Troy Clifford. “The fact that we needed to invest in paramedic services, prehospital care, and public safety was obvious. We’re glad that we could sit at the table together and put our members and patients first.”

Related articles:

• B.C. paramedics union reaches tentative deal with province

• B.C. paramedics reach temporary deal with province, immediate pay increase

The APBC says it had been going through a staffing crisis for years while being on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the province’s toxic drug crisis. According to the union, there is still a long way to go in addressing staffing issues and the wellbeing of union members.

“We are not done fighting for our patients. We want a fully functioning ambulance service in every community of this province, where every citizen, no matter where they live, gets assistance in a timely manner. We are committed to that, no matter what, and this agreement will lay a good foundation for us to build on.”