Health Services Minister Kevin Falcon says the H1N1 flu, not the 2010 Winter Olympics, is why the government is ordering B.C. Ambulance Service paramedics back to work.
"We’ve got a healthcare challenge in B.C. and we need all parties working together," Falcon said.
Paramedics, members of CUPE 873, have worked to rule since their contract expired last spring. The back-to-work legislation gives paramedics a 3% pay raise and one-year contract retroactive to April 1. The government is appointing an industrial inquiry commissioner, which was among the paramedics’ demands.
Falcon said B.C. has “gotten lucky” because he said the strike has not harmed any patients.
"Every day the strike continues increases the risk to patients and it’s my view we cannot go another day with the ambulance paramedic system operating at less than its full potential," he said.
Paramedics erected a picket line at the Whistler Sliding Centre Monday morning. Spokesman B.J. Chute said it was unfair that two ambulances and four paramedics were assigned to Olympic training sessions while the number of ambulances in Metro Vancouver was down by 10 on Hallowe’en. He said he was unaware of any paramedics assigned to this week’s Exercise Gold full-scale Olympic security exercise.
"If we’re not there, we’re missing out on some really valuable training time," Chute said.
Bob Mackin reports for Vancouver 24 hours.
7
Login or register to post comments
Dan the socialist
2 years ago
I would not want to be a
I would not want to be a paramedic in this province where they are treated so poorly by the government.
No money for the paramedics in these tough times yet 100's of millions in cost over runs for a convention centre, 450 million plus for a new roof on BC Place, endless supply of cash for the Owelympics yet education,health-care and everything else keep getting cut...
The swine flu excuse is BS, the Owelympics is the real reason.
Remind me again what Campbell and the mla's got in raises not so long ago??
Skywalker
2 years ago
Yes, a phoney excuse.
Falcon really does stretch the limits of his competence. What a terrible way to treat paramedics. Do you think he is trying to privatize ambulance services for some American company?
freebear
2 years ago
They do not want pickets at owelimpic venues
is my thinking.
They would be embarrassed that all the visitors who may require ambulance service (no snow tires on rental cars headed to Whistler!)will see that the paramedics are on strike!
crh
2 years ago
Falcon lied to the public
about surgeries for Saskatchewan in exchange for premium payment and cannot be trusted.
Paramedics are on strike for lack of staffing levels (one of the main issues). I guess we are all 'lucky' no one has been harmed all these years for understaffing and long response times.
Now the paramedics are subsidizing the cost of the olympics by being asssigned to events. Looks as though we need to pull more 'luck' out of our sleaves eh Kevin?
Why don't you just fund the ambulance system so it can operate at full potential Falcon? It is after all what most of the citizens of this province would want.
freebear
2 years ago
Breaking news.....
"Health Services Minister Kevin Falcon says the H1N1 flu, not the 2010 Winter Olympics, is why the government is ordering B.C. Ambulance Service paramedics back to work."
Apparently VANOCS Chief Medical Officer sent a memo(s) asking for a guarantee of ambulance service - resolve contract or legislate back to work.
So, not for the owelimpics Kevin?
munroe
2 years ago
and then there were none ....
What happens when the last paramedic finds a better career?
samuidave (not verified)
2 years ago
this government
never tires of telling bald-faced lies and untruths.
There is not a single honest member in the lot holding a Ministerial job.