The leadership of the striking Ambulance Paramedics of B.C. say their members are frustrated by a lack of respect shown by the provincial government.
The executive has just completed a province-wide tour to consult with their 3,500 members.
The CUPE 873 members have been on strike since April 1. Four days of talks last month between CUPE 873 and the government brought little or no progress.
The paramedics formally asked Health Minister Kevin Falcon two weeks ago to intervene by appointing an independent arbitrator to settle the dispute. Falcon refused. No new talks between the sides have been sey.
CUPE 873 president John Strohmaier called the fact-finding tour invaluable, but troubling.
"Any chance to meet with our members from across the province is always worth it," said Strohmaier. "This tour was no exception. Our members' primary concern is for the public. This time the other consistent feeling from the smallest community to the largest city is growing frustration with the government's apparent lack of concern for paramedics and for the public."
According to Strohmaier, the executive heard repeated calls for faster ambulance response times, better staffing levels, wage parity with other emergency responders and a multi-year contract. Paramedics said the employer's reliance on overtime, unpaid travel time and part-time positions, has stretched them to the breaking point. They continue to work under Essential Services.
Strohmaier said the executive is now collating the results of the tour to see what direction to take.
