Bill 21 may have officially ended the Paramedic strike … but it is clear the dispute is not over …not by any means. In fact, the implications on the job may be worse under the new imposed contract … I will not call it an “agreement” … than when the paramedics were “on strike”.
Dictatorships always fail to understand the power of resistance: they pass “laws” that impose rules and restrictions; they enforce them with draconian punishments of fines and imprisonments for failure to comply; but they NEVER can suppress the basic desire and determination of citizens to achieve human rights and freedoms.
In B.C., work-to-rule resistance by unhappy paramedics may actually make things a lot worse for the province’s ambulance services. No one can force workers to work under unsafe conditions in mechanically unsafe vehicles or with unfit equipment; no one can punish workers for not working when they are sick; and, no one should be forced to work overtime when they are tired or stressed out.
And under the new “contract” the Essential Services Order that kept paramedics on the job, even working forced overtime, has lapsed.
If there is any good news in the forced-labour contract the Liberal government imposed, rather than ordering fair, independent, binding arbitration to establish fair working wages and conditions, it’s that the one-year contract is retroactive to April. So it only has six months to go …just until after the Olympics and Paralympics. (How convenient!)
Negotiations should begin NOW on achieving a FAIR agreement for the future. But with the employer knowing it has a bully government backing it, there may be little incentive to negotiate sincerely.
Unless the workers demonstrate that when people are dictated to and not treated fairly, they do resist, they do push back, and they do stand up for their fair and democratic rights.
And history shows that even the most remote, unyielding dictatorship can eventually be f0rced to recognize, and respect basic human rights.
Harv Oberfeld
35 responses so far ↓
1 Lynn // Nov 8, 2009 at 9:19 pm
I so hope our Paramedics keep up the pressure. With every tightening turn of the wrench exposes El Gordo for the capitalistic dictator he truly is. Flipping a loonie at them is a true sign of what lays beneath. A true sign of what management thinks of their staff-the front line people who are the resourse of management’s success. It doesn’t matter whether it is government or private industry. The play book is the same. Pay little in wages equals a lot in profit. Don’t forget employer, our wages stimulates the economy. If your wages are low and retail price tags are high we can’t buy.
The provincial government is counting on the fact that OUR paramedics care more about the service they provide than the wages they earn. The story is now becoming how you-El Gordo are treating them. Your lack of respect for OUR paramedics is not sitting well with us taxpayers.
I am left wondering who is next?
2 Gary L. // Nov 8, 2009 at 11:37 pm
I think that “push back” is just around the corner Harvey!
At some point the proverbial “straw that broke the camel’s back” will appear.
Stay tuned B.C., and don’t feign surprise.
3 the dude // Nov 9, 2009 at 2:55 am
yes! they must disobey the law! it is imperative for the cause of real true British Columbians. (also a general strikis in order)(as I have sugested in the past).
I was so proud to read that paramedic desrupted the opperation “BIGDEAL” by picketing. Way to go guys!
But dont forget the general strike idea. they do this in Europe all the time. here: All and every one who makes $12 and under (thats includes many, many university graduates) all go on strike no matter where they work, for 1 week. We all stay home and tighten our belt (by a few notches maybe) for 1 week only!!! and that should send the strongest message ever. or not?
we may have to tighten our belt a few notch but that is nothing compared to what the business owners will have to forgo in that one single week and this shouold send the message: who is in control!
4 DMJ // Nov 9, 2009 at 3:49 am
Interesting, I just returned from a sporting event and the ‘public’ disdain for Gordo was more than apparent.
Me thinks the Liberals, like the NDP, have a leader they would dearly give the heave-ho, but can’t.
It’s was very interesting to hear Fraser Valley Libs, sneer at Gordo.
“May the future prove interesting.”
5 the dude // Nov 9, 2009 at 4:02 am
OK. just to make it clear what I mean by general strike is not an all strike by union brothers all accross the board. What I mean is a strike of all the regular peole, who earn $12 an hour or less. The unions are sure welcomed to join in but I jus wanted to make sure I was beiung understood.
$12 an hour or less… that includes lots and many recent university graduates in psychlogy working for the province as early childhood development workers… not just burger flippers….
6 the dude // Nov 9, 2009 at 4:46 am
So lets call mine GENERAL GENERAL STRIKE…
lets not nistake it
7 Jean // Nov 9, 2009 at 6:04 am
I talked to two of our dearly loved paramedics last night in Timmy’s and they told me one good thing did come out of C21 and that is they can now conduct their fight with the Dictatorship with no fear of being charged with contempt of court. I say….my words, not theirs…. or at least until PAB catches on and they sneak another legislation in, in the dark of night).
8 Lynn // Nov 9, 2009 at 9:15 am
The Dude,
How ironic! Many, many people are talking about a general strike-regular citizens including new Canadians. Regular low income earners are sick and tired of struggling to get by (or is buy??). Rents are high, gas is high which translates into higher goods costs. Working 2 and 3 jobs just afford the basics. These folks are talking about France and how they deal with higher costs and corruption. Yes, Dude, folks are speaking loudly about a general strike. Keep it up El Gordo and El Pab.
9 A. G. Tsakumis // Nov 9, 2009 at 11:21 am
The real disgrace here is that there is no real settlement. In point of fact, the way this govt has treated paramedics is unfathomable, since this “deal” is only a one year get.
Gordon Campbell is a madman. If ever there was evidence of this, here it is:
Presumably the “directive” from VANOC prompted the govt to act so unconscionably. Fine.
Explain, please, how these folks are going to be any better off through the rest of the year, after the two week androidfest?
The notion that it’s all about the Olympics is laughable. What?! The 2010 calendar just drops off in March?
These people are first responders in an situation where a British Columbian might be in need, or worse, in peril. They have been treated extremely poorly and to add insult to injury, a 3% raise, while the Premier received a whopping 50% increase.
You know, if I were Gordon Campbell, I wouldn’t want to slip in the shower, at this point…
10 crh // Nov 9, 2009 at 3:56 pm
The only rights that Campbell and Falcon and the rest of them understand is the one that enables them all to pad their wallets. Greedy SOB’s that want more and more at the expense of everyone else.
These people exploit our environment, you and I and the future for their financial gain.
11 Curt // Nov 9, 2009 at 4:19 pm
Monday November 9 – one little blip in the Sun. Again, the liberals break the law, and pretty well nothing in mainstream media. Shame!
(Response: I can’t help but wonder how the media would be covering it IF the NDP had legislated them back back, trampled on their rights and created such an angry, intolerable working situation. Wouldn’t likely be a “buried” story. h.o.)
12 Genuine // Nov 9, 2009 at 4:44 pm
Man the image of gordo throwing a loonie still burns my but and to think david hann makes a million plus a year,that amounts to 90EI recipients benefit per month and at two dollars an hour stand by rate for paramedics boy his salary alone would cover that for a while .We all know where gordos priorities lay and it’s not for the citizens of this once great province,now we are a grated province,they grate us for every last penny to sprinkle it all over the so called best and brightest,if falcon(binder boy) were a light bulb how bright would he really be ?
13 rye // Nov 9, 2009 at 9:13 pm
As 4 of us sat in our station collecting our $2/hr last week, we could not stop watching the legislature channel. As bad as this bill is, for Health Minister Falcon to sit there and actually put earplugs in so that he didn’t have to listen to the opposition was the final straw. that action was the most disrespectful act i have ever witnessed. Both to the members of the opposition who were speaking and to me as a paramedic. It truly shows how little that they care about everyone in this province. The goverment has asked for a confrontation and i feel that it may not be far off. To all the opposition members who fought for our rights, a huge thank you.
To everyone out there, this was not just about wages,although they really suck, it was about the fact that as of 6 years ago there was not enough of us, ambulances or stations to go around. The government has done NOTHING to correct this problem. This places everyone in the province at risk. I truly fear what the future holds for this province.
14 Elizabeth // Nov 10, 2009 at 2:13 am
I just don’t even know anymore.
It seems like Paramedics need to divide themselves into two camps so that they can negotiate on their seperate issues.
On one hand there are the Full timers, who don’t do too badly.
On the other hand there are the Part timers who get sh*t all.
The union, at the moment seems to be using the catch line of the Part timers, ($2/hr!) to advance pay raises for already decently well paid paramedics who are full time.
But I might just be getting beaten down by all this, since I know I’m soon to be a part timer at $2/hr.
15 Jean // Nov 10, 2009 at 2:39 am
The way I see it Campbell meets all the criterion of a narcisstic (edited .h.o) dictator. A narcisstic drunk driver felon running our province. Yup, Haan makes 2-3 times what he would earn in the private sector and the taxpayers get to subsidize the gross mis-management (all non-elected) of our ferry system. Campbell’s new c-class ferries sit in dry dock 4 out of 7 days a week because they are gas guzzlers, cannot idle while loading and unloading causing the destruction of the docks we paid $11 million to accommodate these 3 ferry fiascos. The propellers are too large and sit too far above the water, and the top cannot be used because it would cause them to tip over and more too numerous to list here. On the last long weekend when the ferry broke down and Haan had no backup, that ferry was a good old wooden, made in B.C. Spirit ship. No mention on the news as usual. How about the over half a billion dollar new c-class ferries?? All 3 kept in drydock over a long weekend?? Criminal and disgusting. Another bankrupt our B.C. Ferries system and privatize our ships too.
Could the gang be preparing to bring in marshall law for their games? Nothing would surprise me but Campbell’s B.C. Dictatorship terrifies me.
(Response: Seems to me a lot of what you say here is opinion, not proven scientific fact … esp re C-class ferriese sitting in dock four days out of seven every week. Simply not true, from what I’ve seen anywhere. And re his salary comparison with other ferry operations in the world, sounds high to me, but do you have an statistical source for your allegation that it is 2 to 3 times others in the same sector? Would love to examine it. h..o)
16 Frank // Nov 10, 2009 at 4:02 am
The present “liberal’ government in Victoria is little more than a group of carpetbaggers looting the Province for their own personal benefits. The picture in the Sun of the Gatling gun on the way to Ladysmith to quell a miners strike in 1913 has got to have this bunch salivating. But then by the time they are out of office the Province will have been sold away from the citizen of British Columbia and into private pockets. And they have even greased their leaving with an obscene transition allowance. Talk about porkbarreling their way to retirement eh?
17 BM // Nov 10, 2009 at 7:18 am
Now that the Liberal government has passed bill 21 and forced an end to the strike now what?
Mr Falcon declared that H1N1 cases were increasing and thus he needed to end our wearing on-strike t-shirts and refusal to scan patient care forms.
Go figure H1N1, want a smoke screen, Fraser Health is refusing to provide Paramedics with the H1N1 vaccine!
BCAS has yet to provide Paramedics with dates and location to obtain the vaccine.
I often wonder whether government actually thinks ahead.
During the strike BCAS stated they could not staff all ambulances dispite the ESO which forced Paramedics to work overtime.
Now the ESO is history Paramedics can now choose to work only there regular scheduled shifts which will leave more open shifts.
BCAS struggles to cover the cars for daily operations.
Tell me how they intent to upstaff with over 100 paramedics that will be needed every day for the Olympics.
That’s right 100 Paramedics.
Compare that to 13,000 security personnel, police , Canadian and US military, with assistance fom Norad and dozens of US agencies stationed in Bellingham.
18 Cameron // Nov 10, 2009 at 7:19 am
As a paramedic for 18 years I’ve got to say enough is enough. The lies from government when they speak about our labour dispute make my blood boil. For the love of God…I used to vote right wing.
What I just don’t get is why they treat us so poorly? We are proven to save health care dollars by early intervention. We are a system that is being copied all over the world and we a very public flagship as to what your tax dollars provide.
Seriously, can it be as simple as they don’t want to be in the business of service delivery? Yes, many years ago the Provincial service was an NDP creation…Campbell we were not your enemy until you poked us in the eye. Now we are at war and while you stack the deck in your direction the public will have the final say.
When the truth comes out about your lies, when they realize that you are responsible for delays in prompt ambulance care and when we can’t get your family to all your centralized health care…you will finally be revealed as (edited..h.o.) you are.
19 Robert // Nov 10, 2009 at 7:41 am
Yes it is turning to a class war our school board will shorten the hourly workers week or close for an extra week. This while the admin and teachers still collect their salaries . The lowest paid will make p for the shortfall. Yes many days the new ferries are not running. Too expensive.
20 taz // Nov 10, 2009 at 8:07 am
Elizabeth, as one of those full timers you talk about who makes ssssooooooooooo much money, i find your post extremely offensive; and if this is the fight you want to bring, you are in for one rough ride. The fact is, if our wages would have kept up to the rising cost of food, housing, fuel, etc., etc., then you would have a legitimate argument… but, this argument you raise will find for you only a whole lot of trouble.
21 Pat // Nov 10, 2009 at 6:01 pm
As another one of those full timers with 16 years I must say Elizabeth, for someone who states “I know I’m soon to be a part timer” you have a lot to learn about this service. For one thing, wages are only one aspect of the labour dispute. We all stand together full timers and part timers alike. Regarding the full time wages – yes about 12 years ago they were decent but the wages have not kept up with inflation and the wages of the other emergency service providers.
“To learn is to change. Education is a process that changes the learner.”
22 crh // Nov 10, 2009 at 6:12 pm
One of Campbells great goals – privatization.
I believe they deliberately are failing the ambulance system so they can privatize the service. Watch out paramedics of the future, your wages will drop under new private management.
23 Ryan // Nov 10, 2009 at 6:13 pm
This labour dispute is way more than wages. It is all about the lack of respect this Liberal Government has shown and about the democratic rights that were taken away from the Paramedics.
24 prayermedic // Nov 10, 2009 at 11:48 pm
For me it was a lack of vision on the part of the government. The enacted the wrong legislation. What they could have done is include us in the Essential services act the same as the police and Fire, and they would have looked like heros. The strike would still be over and we might have not seen one more cent, but they would have secured labour peace forever with our industry. They just wanted to fight and win. Clearly the Campbell Government is the biggest bully in the school yard. I thought it would be fun to act like a bully once and I got my butt kicked by a bunch of people that where willing to help me change my ways. Gordo’s day will come, and he will be the Mug with mud on his face.
25 Ruraidh // Nov 11, 2009 at 7:15 am
Somehow, someone in the government decided in their mind that the paramedics were a bunch of Trotskyite revoluti0naries intent on overturning established ways.
Ironic.
The only group intent on overturning established ways (and impoverishing a lot of people in the process) is none other than the provincial liberals. Or so it seems.
(Response: I’m beginning to wonder if the government is deliberately softening us up for some sort of privatization scheme for the ambulance service. h.o)
26 Jean // Nov 11, 2009 at 12:11 pm
Hi h.o
I can refer you to some info I got off the i-net re the fast ferries. I hate to say I am almost computer illerate and don’t know how to send the stuff to you as I only have your www. and not an email address. July 29/09 a blogger “let’s be More honest” wrote to vancouversun.com – The German built ferries sent one billion dollars worth of work, and all the taxes accruing from that work out of BC to the only non-union shop in Germany for reasons of ideological spite. It also killed a budding BC industry, aluminum shipbuilding. The new German boats spend an amazing amount of time in dock, and are pigs for maintenance….then he goes on to complain about more BCL BS. (My comments Campbell also did not allow BC to bid on them).
Also refer to The Tyee e-newsletter “Blasted Pay, Conflict at top of B.C. Ferries: Ministry Report by Andrew McLeod, Nov. 7/09.
Also refer to The Tyee “Hahn attacks Tyee’s B.C. Ferries ‘gas guzzlers’ story, Andrew McLeod, Jan 20/09 and if you follow all the highlighted sites as you go there is more info.
I also talked to a guy who calls himself Black Coal on one of the poker sites I go to and he lives on the Island and works for B.C. Ferries and he told me a lot of this info but he really wasn’t supposed to be talking about it. (Gotta watch PAB and gags!) My comment.
I have also read lots of other info too numerous to go into all of it lots I can’t remember where I read it but was a lot was on The Tyee.
Maybe Andrew McLeod would be a good person to ask about it or the NDP transportation critic. You can also google what I did “History BC Liberals c-class ferries” but it is difficult as usual to find out about the Libs’ fiascos.
I would love to see a blog going here too! Good Luck and happy reading, Love your stuff too.
It was late tonight when I saw your Response to me and it’s now 4:06 am at my house but I could try to find out or remember other places I got the info tomorrow….but….I know you know more people and places to than I do. If you come up any new stuff on the ferries. I would still really like to know where the 3 of them were on the last weekend when our good old wooden Spirit broke down and ruined hundreds of peoples’ long weekend plans and Hahn didn’t have a backup??!
27 Jean // Nov 11, 2009 at 12:20 pm
h/o
That got sent while I was re-reading it and some dumb new download that I have to keep telling it restart later made it send before I was finished.
I’m not sure about that blogger’s number ‘one billion dollars worth of work’, I’ve heard over a half billion but I really only rely on comments on the Tyee, your blog, Laila’s blogs or ones I know are legit. Can’t read it in the papers or see it on TV…gotta go somewhere.
28 RJW // Nov 12, 2009 at 12:46 am
Thank you, I have never been been so unhappy in my life as I
find myself now. I am a paramedic in BC and have been for almost
eight years. I gave up a good paying career to help the people
of the this province. I have struggled and made my family
sacrifice for that honor and priveledge. After the passing of
bill 21 my heart was broke and the passion gone. I truly wish
that all citizens were able to have access to unedited news as
you provide and not this phony BS that this government and
canwest produce.It would be such a better province. I am torn
now as to whether or not I move on to something else or try and
change this broken system . Unfortunately for me and the rest I
will have to find something different. Your support has been
encouraging for me as well i’m sure as others and I thank you.
29 Jason // Nov 12, 2009 at 4:13 am
Last week I very attentively watched my democratic and human rights>> taken away from me by our current Liberal government. As insulted as>> I was at the actual process, being absolutely powerless as I watched a>> bunch of men and women in suits decide what my future shall be, even>> more appalling was the fact that the government used lies, fear, and>> manipulation to get what they want. Last time I checked, the whole>> idea behind democracy is that we vote in the leaders who will>> represent our needs. By voting them into parliament, they are meant>> to stand up and fight for what their constituents demand of them.>> MLAs work for us. This is not what I saw during the passing of Bill>> 21, known as the Ambulance Services Collective Agreement Act (an>> oxymoron of a title if I’ve ever heard one). The public opinion was>> clear, people supported paramedics. People were against Bill 21. The>> evidence was widespread, from the many letters and emails sent to all>> MLAs, to the many petitions filled out and submitted during the>> debates, to the many letter to the editors printed across the>> province, to the many online forums and other media sites where people>> voiced their opinions. The people did not want Bill 21. The>> government ignored them. Watching the debate, knowing that MLAs have>> a mandate to represent their constituents, what I saw was silence. No>> Liberal MLA (particularly those in rural ridings) stood up to speak>> for their constituents. They were all silenced. More important then>> to represent their ridings is the fact that Mr. Campbell and Mr.>> Falcon wanted this Bill to pass and that they were to remain silent so>> it could be pushed through as quickly as possible. I think in total>> three Ministers defended the Bill and all they did was literally>> repeat what was already out there in all the newspapers. The>> government’s own political agenda has yet again trumped the demands of>> their employer – you, the taxpayer. This is evident with their lies>> about the HST, pouring money into the Olympics by stripping various>> essential services, and even going as far as gagging anyone from>> expressing an anti-Liberal opinion during the elections.>>>> Lets look at the so-called reasons for this Bill. First Mr. Falcon>> says that after seven months of “failed negotiations”, something had>> to be done. The problem with that statement is that there were no>> negotiations. For the past seven months, the government has>> repeatedly handed paramedics the exact same offer. In fact, they even>> forgot to change the date on it because they used the same piece of>> paper as back in the spring (guess they are trying to cut costs).>> Pushing the same offer isn’t negotiating – it’s dictating. The union>> considerably lowered its demands to within 1.2% of an increase, and>> some variation of what the Independent Industrial Commissioner would>> investigate within BCAS. That’s a very narrow gap to bridge. The>> reason why that gap was never bridged was because still the government>> wouldn’t budge from their offer back in the spring. One way or the>> other, they were determined to make us take it. Despite this, at one>> point there was significant progress in addressing many issues. Both>> sides worked hard and laid out important framework on which to improve>> BCAS. However, when Mr. Falcon took over as Minister of Health, he>> threw out that progress. When the union pleaded with him to appoint>> an independent arbitrator, and help settle the strike, he refused. He>> cited that he wasn’t going to get involved. Truth is he already got>> involved. He stepped in, flexed his muscles, destroyed everything we>> worked towards, and stepped out again. Mr. Falcon justifies this as>> saying it was only “exploratory talks”. Fair enough, but that is>> where progress starts. It was a foundation on which to build upon.>> Instead Mr. Falcon destroyed that, and told us to “go back” to the>> negotiating table. Ultimately the union agreed to the government’s>> request to take their offer to the vote. It was the belief of their>> chief negotiator, Mr. Lee Doney, that the union executive wasn’t>> representing the membership, and that this “generous” offer would be>> accepted. However as the voting took place, it got announced we were>> being forced the contract we were voting on. Obviously they weren’t>> confident that their offer would be accepted.>>>> The primary reason of H1N1 is just a simple bullying tactic. The>> government used the over-hyped fear of the swine flu to scare people>> into believing this legislation was necessary. Apparently we are so>> important to combating the H1N1, as frontline healthcare workers, yet>> we are denied access to the one defense which allows us to safely help>> people: the vaccine! As usual, Mr. Falcon deflected this criticism by>> deflecting to the Medical Director, saying it was his decision. As>> for his logic that we needed to be at peak efficiency, well he>> should’ve let us remain on strike. The Essential Service Order has>> required paramedics to work above and beyond what the service levels>> were at prior to the strike. There were actually more cars staffed>> during the strike then when we weren’t. This speaks volumes to the>> holes in the service. By legislating us back, and that legislation>> having nothing in it that addresses the lack of staffing issue, things>> will just go back to the way they were before. Actually, they will be>> worse. Prior to the strike, I drove hours out of my community to help>> fill holes in under-staffed stations. Yes, I got paid for it, but it>> came at the cost of being with my family. I felt an ethical>> obligation to do what I could to help the lack of staffing. After>> watching my established rights as a person being taken away from me, I>> no longer feel I should continue to put myself out of my way for an>> employer that only bullies me and tramples on me. This is a popular>> feeling among paramedics. The government will undoubtedly claim this>> is “organized union illegal job action” but that is not the case. It>> is simple as this: it’s about an employer continuing to treat its>> employees with contempt. Any employer should know that the more you>> beat down on your workers, the less productivity you will get from>> them. I’ve known this since my first job at Tim Hortons, yet the>> Liberals still can’t grasp this concept.>>>> It was so comforting to see Mr. Falcon display such a concern over>> BCAS managers having to work “excessive” hours during the strike, and>> seeking to provide them some down time. My question is why has the>> government refused to extend the same courtesy to paramedics and>> dispatchers? For years paramedics have been doing overtime to fill>> the holes in the service, and the government responds by ignoring it.>> In the middle of September, Mr. Lee Doney announced to the province>> that BCAS had no staffing challenges, and that there were “plenty” of>> people to replace paramedics. Well on Sept 19 he was proven wrong.>> Simply by refusing overtime shifts, cars went down all over the>> province. So much so that BCAS had to issue an advisory encouraging>> the public to not call an ambulance unless necessary. This was not>> the result of dropping shifts, as Doney claims, it was simply because>> paramedics refused to accept overtime shifts. Mr. Falcon has>> repeatedly quoted this event as one of the catalysts of Bill 21, but>> funny he leaves out the details surrounding it. Political posturing>> at its best.>>>> Lets face it, there was one reason only for this legislation: the>> Olympics. The leaked VANOC memo is the perfect evidence. The memo>> specifically advises the government that ambulance planning for the>> Olympics is three months past schedule, and that something has to be>> done to guarantee paramedic coverage, or else contingency plans would>> have to be investigated. The memo specifically mentions back-to-work>> legislation as a resolution. Funny that Mr. Falcon never mentioned>> this as a reason. That is until he was pushed about it after the memo>> was made public. All of a sudden it was a “secondary reason”. This>> is also a lie. In his defense, Mr. Falcon stated that the Olympics>> were covered under essential services so manning the Olympics wasn’t a>> real concern. This is another lie, the VANOC memo specifically states>> “The 2010 Games (including planning) have not been designated as>> essential services and we are thus unable to engage any union members.>> Our venue emergency planning is now 3 months behind schedule due to>> this and has reached a critical stage.” Mr. Falcon has even go on to>> suggest he’s never seen this memo prior to the Bill 21 reading, and>> hinted it may in fact be a fabrication. I find that funny when VANOC>> issues their own press release acknowledging the memo, and defended>> it.>>>> Bottom line, the Liberals lied. They used deceit, fear, and>> manipulation to get what they want. The community that I serve has>> had an over 80% increase in call volume over the past 10 years. How>> many ambulances have been added to address that significant shortfall:>> none! In fact, there is one less car on the road in my community then>> back in the 1990s, despite the volume spiking up so much. What does>> Bill 21 do to address this issue? This is not a unique issue in BC.>> What does Bill 21 do to address the fact that BCAS is at is lowest>> morale since the service was created? What does Bill 21 do to address>> the fact that when you factor in 100% of paramedics, we are the lowest>> paid service in the country? Even more insulting is that Mr. Falcon>> claims he will still appoint an IIC to review areas of the service,>> but he leaves out two very important details. First, he is going to>> have the Minister of Labour “appoint” one. In other words, the>> government gets to choose who it will be. This takes the whole>> concept of independent away. This is eerily familiar to Mr. Doney and>> Mr. Campbell lining up the Labour Relations Board with their buddies,>> which has equated to most labour rulings in their favour, whether>> legal or not. Second, they are leaving out two significant issues>> that paramedics consider to be vital to be looked at. The first is>> employee compensation. The government is quick to boast about>> paramedic wages, but they leave out they come to their totals by>> factoring in those who have been in the service many years, and are>> full-time only. This represents a significant minority. Even more a>> minority are the ALS wages they so quickly boast about. It is obvious>> the government doesn’t want revealed to the public eye the truth>> behind employee wages, benefits, etc. The second issue management>> structure and responsibilities. By including this, the IIC could look>> at how the service is run at the administrative and management level,>> and they refuse to have that included. Perhaps they have something to>> hide. BCAS is hardly a transparent service.>>>> To say the strike is over is accurate, but to say the dispute is over>> is just not true. I have re-evaluated my priorities, and my family>> comes out on top. I will be reducing the work I do, and if I have to>> seek employment elsewhere. I have already begun applying to the>> private sector, and to paramedic services outside of BC. Too many>> paramedics like myself have put up with the mistreatment that the>> government provides, and have realized that there are other options.>> I am surely not the only one to conclude this.>>>> Let me ask you something. VANOC has already stated they require 100>> paramedics per day to staff the Olympics, with at least another 70 per>> day to make up for their absences from the lower mainland. So where>> is the supply going to come from? What plan does the government have>> in place to make sure no communities suffer while the Olympics take up>> so much of our already under-staffed resources? Go ask your MLA what>> assurances they can offer you make sure your local ambulance coverage>> doesn’t suffer. At the same time, ask them what Bill 21 does to>> address your community’s needs. I’m willing to bet you won’t get a>> unique answer – only the same verbatim spoken out during the passing>> of this atrocious law. I guess this is what the Liberals meant when>> they said they are working towards a better BC.>>
30 Jason // Nov 12, 2009 at 4:15 am
Just something else I think should be pointed out. Since beinglegislated back to work, and the strike officially over, I havereceived letters from 10 paramedics who act as preceptors forparamedic students looking to graduate from their college program.The letters are all resignation letters. I am sure there are plentymore resigning but at least 10 have in the few days since beinglegislated back. This is not union direction or ogranized job actionin any form, this is a group of paramedics who take on the additionalresponsibility (paid $1.50 on top of their wages to do it) ofpromoting the service, and helping students bridge the gap fromclassroom learning to real life learning. Reading all these lettersthere is one common reason: the preceptors in good conscience can nolonger promote or try to bring in paramedics into an ambulance servicethat they no longer believe in, and feel no respect from. This is oneof many side effects of the government’s handling of the strike, andI’m sure you’ll see more “reactions” as the Olympics draw near. Just a thought…
(Response: That’s exactly the type of pressure that might convince management they might be able to get the government to force an end to the strike, but they will NEVER get a healthy working setup until they respond with a fair deal to the paramedics concerns. h..o)
31 Kam Lee // Nov 12, 2009 at 5:37 am
‘(Response: Seems to me a lot of what you say here is opinion, not proven scientific fact … esp re C-class ferriese sitting in dock four days out of seven every week.’
Harv, BC Ferries are one of my accounts. The German-built lemons are benched lots. I am having a heck of a time getting parts, everything has to be machined. Very expensive. That chap made some good points on their lack of reliability. They goofed! They could have been manufactured here. Dollars would be spent here, jobs, etc. Also the CEO of BC Ferries, is very over paid.
(Response: Good info. But are they really out four days out of seven??? Amazing this has not been reported, if they are. h..o)
32 Henri Paul // Nov 12, 2009 at 6:23 am
Take no enemies.
The ones that should suffer from lack of ambulance service!!
The two constituency’s that voted in Campbell and Falcon……..
Then watch the ass kissing.
33 Kam Lee // Nov 12, 2009 at 7:05 am
I’m not sure of the four out of seven Harv, but whenever I am there, so are they it seems.
34 Kam Lee // Nov 12, 2009 at 7:09 am
The props are too big. The replacements are made in Russia, and they are about two years away. They will keep them out of service as much as they can. They cost more to run. Do much damage to their docks, as well as peoples properties. Not a wise imvestment. They msm do not like to talk bad about them, orders you know.
35 John T // Nov 29, 2009 at 9:55 pm
The legislation is illegal. Bill 29 was struck down by the Supreme Court of Canada. Governments cannot interfere in bargaining.
Paramedics should sue immediately. The BC Government is violating their Charter Rights.
Why hasn’t a BC Supreme and Federal Challenge been initiated.
It’s clear that the BC Government is violating rights. Now, they need to be held to account for their illegal legislation.
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