January 20,2026
RED FM News Desk
The Ambulance Paramedics of BC (APBC) is calling on the province to appoint veteran mediator Vince Ready to help break the deadlock in contract negotiations.
Bargaining collapsed before Christmas, and the union says Ready needs to be brought in by the end of this week, ahead of a planned vote on potential job action in early February. As of Tuesday morning, no new bargaining sessions had been scheduled.
APBC communications and social media director Ian Tait told 1130 NewsRadio that the union has reached agreement with employers on several issues, but key concerns remain unresolved, including wages, benefits, and mental health supports for both paramedics and dispatchers. He adds there is concern that the provincial government does not fully grasp how critical paramedics’ work is, particularly as rural health services remain limited and emergency room closures continue across B.C.
According to Tait, even small changes in staffing levels could have major consequences for patient care. He says the current direction of negotiations suggests job action is becoming increasingly likely if progress is not made.
Tait stresses that paramedics are not seeking a strike. Instead, he points to unsustainable workloads driven by excessive overtime, saying workers cannot be compelled to continue working at current levels on their days off and holidays. If some paramedics choose to step back from overtime due to pressure and fatigue, he warns the system could be significantly affected.
He also notes that a mental health crisis was declared within the ambulance service in the summer of 2025, and ongoing difficulties recruiting staff to address shortages have only added to the strain. Tait says union members are already struggling, and a strike scenario would further worsen mental health challenges.
If job action does occur, Tait says it would include picket lines but ambulance services would continue operating at a reduced, skeleton level. He emphasizes that even minor operational or staffing changes could have serious impacts, given how fragile the system already is. While the union hopes to avoid a strike, he says patient safety remains the top priority.
The union’s previous collective agreement expired in March 2025.
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