January 31, 2001, Vancouver, BC After an overwhelming rejection of a tentative agreement the bargaining committee for BC Ambulance Paramedics, CUPE Local 873, will meet employers negotiators in a renewed round of bargaining tomorrow, Thursday, February 1, 2001.
Our return to the bargaining table comes with a mandate from our members to return with a collective agreement containing significant improvements to hours of work, wages, seniority, allocation of work and training. said John Strohmaier, President of CUPE Local 873.
The message was delivered to the bargaining committee by member representatives from across the province during a two-day meeting aimed at revising the paramedics strategy for achieving a fair contract.
Our bargaining committee has a mandate to ensure that the employer addresses issues that contribute to an alarming increase in stress related illnesses, extended absences and suicides. said Strohmaier.
Ambulance Paramedics are the front-line of emergency medical care. Whether we are delivering the emergency medical services on the side of the road or caring for patients before hospital staff can take over, BCs ambulance paramedics are there.
Strohmaier says that the frustration level of ambulance paramedics has reached a crisis point.
Paramedics are calling for escalated actions that we have avoided up until now. I hope that enough progress can be immediately demonstrated at the bargaining table to hold off an escalation of strike action. said Strohmaier.
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Information: John Strohmaier (604) 728-2741 or (604) 273-5722
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