A strongly worded VANOC memo could be behind the provincial government’s decision to force striking paramedics back to work, a union leader representing the workers said today.
“We always suspected that [the Olympics] had something to do with it,” CUPE BC President Barry O’Neill told the Tyee.
Health Minister Kevin Falcon introduced legislation Monday that ended the seven month strike. The decision outraged striking paramedics, who were in the middle of voting on the government’s latest offer.
The province was worried about labour shortages in the face of an H1N1 pandemic, Falcon said. He denied the Olympics played a role.
“VANOC Medical Services (and thus the IOC) requires definitive confirmation by Oct 1, 2009 that all required ambulance services will be provided as planned,” reads the memo cited by O’Neill.
It was sent from Vancouver Games medical director Dr. Mike Wilkinson to Ambulance Service CEO Lee Doney in September. The document calls for a guarantee there will be no disruptions or reductions in service during the Games.
"If we are unable to obtain that guarantee (through either settlement of the strike or legislated "detente" for the Games), then VANOC will be required to initiate alternative contingency plans to avoid cancellation of the Games," it reads.
O’Neill said the document itself doesn’t prove the province bowed to the wishes of Games organizers. But with less than four months until the Olympics, VANOC wields a lot of power, he said.
“People have to draw their own conclusion about the kind of extreme language in here,” O’Neill said. “It doesn’t get much heavier than that.”
Falcon acknowledged the memo today, but denied it was central to the government's decision.
"I don't think there's anything new there at all," he told reporters in Victoria. "That memo was sent back in September and all VANOC is saying is they want to make sure there's paramedical coverage at their events."
He said there's been over 300 cases of H1N1 since April. And the pandemic is getting more serious all the time.
"I won't deny that the Olympics isn't important in this whole calculation, but the H1N1 pandemic is clearly the priority," Falcon said.
Readers may be puzzled why ambulance services were still operating, though the union representing paramedics was on strike. That's because of a strict Essential Services Order that forced employees to stay on the job.
Union officials did advise paramedics to withhold small tasks such as scanning patient care records.
The provincial health ministry argued the strike has strained ambulance services, despite the essential services ruling.
"We will continue to defer comment to the Province of British Columbia on this matter," reads an emailed response from VANOC.
Geoff Dembicki reports for the Tyee. With files from the Tyee's Legislative Bureau Chief Andrew MacLeod.
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TreesAreGood
2 years ago
So you want to be a paramedic in BC
Please distribute this advertising to hopeful paramedics across the country who would like to work in BC. Courtesy of "JohnnyMan" on the CBC website.
Dear BC Liberals:
I am not an ambulance paramedic/driver nor a lover of unions but in my opinion, you have really dropped the ball on this issue.
I am appalled to learn that Handy Dart bus drivers whom are currently on strike (skill level required= drivers license, i.e. almost none]) make around $21/hour and ambulance paramedics (skills required = enough medical knowledge to save a life and limb) barely make a couple of dollars more.
This is pathetic!!!!
Gee, I wonder what will be the ramifications of this new decision will be???
Maybe our government should have new ads to attract paramedics. They would boast:
"Come be a paramedic in beautiful BC. We need you very much.
So you have just finished high school and you are looking to work in a highly stressful and thankless profession.
Have you ever wanted to be over worked and underpaid and forever made to look bad by your employer? Consider being a BC paramedic.
If you become unhappy or stressed out, don't bother complaining because you will be legislated back to work.
Expect to learn and work at an additional trade between shifts to make ends meet.
You will quit within 3 years or suffer extreme work-stopping stress levels."
Your employer thinks a one-time sporting event (Olympics) is a lot more important than you, your desire to remain a paramedic, or your ability to save a life.
A great ambulance career awaits you here in BC"
offended
2 years ago
In some areas of the province
paramedics on standby (i.e. waiting to be dispatched) are paid $2 per hour. Two bucks an hour. That's way less than what a Handy Dart driver earns. Doesn't that sicken you the way it sickened me? These folks take care of us when we are at our sickest, but the government, working on our behalf, thinks these people are only worth two dollars an hour. During the election campaign, Gordon threw a twoonie at some paramedics and told em not to spend it all in one place. Is it any wonder the paramedics are angry?
crh
2 years ago
of course
it has to do with the olympics. Doesn't everything these days have to do with them?
Kevin, you need to stop lying to us, we can see right thru you.
Van Isle
2 years ago
All those in favour of a
All those in favour of a general strike in the new year, say Aye.
Crash II
2 years ago
aye!
Strike! Strike! Strike!
Perhaps a good time for a general strike will be sometime around, oh, February? Maybe... February 12?
Woodsman
2 years ago
Fairness
The Tyee n July:
"I'm not going to interfere in this dispute between the BCAS and the paramedics' union," Falcon said in a written statement last month. "I firmly believe that there is no reason the two sides can't return to discussions and reach a fair agreement that addresses paramedics concerns, while recognizing the economic challenges we face in government."
Furthermore, after calling paramedics essential and revoking the right to any job action, the government was unwilling to appoint an mutually agreeable arbitrator to end this disagreement. It seems that the government is afraid of fair wages and benefits for paramedics.