BURST
The B.C. government has appointed a mediator to negotiate after 911 emergency communication workers issued a 72-hour strike notice.
CUPE 8911, which represents more than 700 E-Comm workers, issued the strike notice on Friday after talks broke down.
The union has said sticking points are staffing issues, workload and the long-term sustainability of the emergency communication system.
B.C. Labour Minister Jennifer Whiteside said Saturday she appointed Vince Ready to act as a special mediator in the negotiations between the union and the Emergency Communications for B.C.
She said Ready will begin work with the parties on Saturday for a period of up to 10 days to help reach a settlement.
Whiteside added that if a settlement is not reached, Ready will issue binding recommendations on all outstanding issues.
“I encourage both parties to work together with the special mediator, with urgency and determination, to reach a fair and timely agreement,” she said in a statement.
The workers, who answer the initial emergency calls and provide dispatch services for emergency services across the province, are seeking a new agreement that includes “fair wages reflecting the responsibility and complexity of the job.”
They’re also asking for more staffing and recruitment, and better health and wellness supports.
Related
With files from J.J. Adams