B.C. paramedics have ratified a new collective agreement.
The deal covers about 5,000 paramedics and ambulance dispatchers represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees and employed by BC Emergency Health Services.
The three-year agreement includes wage increases of:
* Year 1 - a flat increase of $0.25 per hour, which provides a greater percentage increase for lower-paid employees, plus a wage increase of 3.24%
* Year 2 - 5.5% plus a potential cost-of-living adjustment to a maximum of 6.75%
* Year 3 - 2% plus a potential cost-of-living adjustment to a maximum of 3%
* A negotiable flexibility allocation for as much as 0.25% in years 1 and 2 to support mutually beneficial outcomes for both parties.
The provincial government says the deal will also improve on-call coverage and response times in rural and remote areas. Provisions for Indigenous-specific anti-racism initiatives are also included, as are the removal of gender-normative uniform rules.
