B.C. paramedics and dispatchers reach a tentative contract, boosting pay, benefits, and mental health support while avoiding strike action.
B.C. Paramedics Secure Tentative Contract
RICHMOND — Relief is on the horizon for British Columbia’s ambulance workers. The union representing more than 6,000 paramedics and dispatchers has reached an agreement in principle on a new contract, sidestepping potential strike action.
Negotiations Yield Breakthrough
The Ambulance Paramedics of BC credit “extensive negotiations” with the Health Employers Association of BC and the provincial government for the breakthrough. Earlier this month, union members voted overwhelmingly—97 per cent in favour—of strike action, which would have required an essential services order to proceed legally.
Now, with a tentative deal in place, the union is focused on engaging members both in person and online before holding a ratification vote.
Deal Priorities: Mental Health, Pay, and Training
Although full details of the contract remain under wraps, the union has emphasized key priorities, including improved mental health supports, enhanced benefits, fair wages, and expanded training opportunities. These issues have been critical as paramedics face ongoing stress and long hours on the job.
Addressing Staffing Pressures Across B.C.
Paramedics in British Columbia continue to operate under heavy staffing pressures. Many are deployed across the province to fill persistent service gaps, particularly in rural, remote, and Indigenous communities. The union has long advocated for solutions that ensure these vital services remain accessible to all British Columbians.
With this tentative agreement, paramedics and dispatchers can now focus on delivering care while awaiting members’ approval, providing a hopeful step toward stability in B.C.’s ambulance services.
