Printer-friendly versionThere has been much discussion in the media regarding how BC Ambulance Service fills vacant shifts. Much of the discussion is incorrect, so we will set the record straight.
BC Ambulance Service controls the filling of vacant shifts through its own “Work Allocation Guide”. This is not a contractual document as indicated by Minister Falcon and in the media, but the employers own guideline.
The truth is that all shifts not filled by scheduled full time employees at regular rates are filled in this manner:
- Primary part time;
- Primary full time at overtime rates (1.5);
- Primary full time at holiday recall rates (2.0);
- And lastly secondary operators who may be available to work – may be either full time or part time at applicable rates.
Primary operators are paramedics attached to the particular ‘post’ which has the vacancy. Secondary operators are attached to any other ‘post’. The purpose of this is to ensure that other posts will not be robbed to fill shifts at a more favourable post. A post can be one station such as Merritt, or can be multiple stations such as Vancouver.
As you can see, any paramedic in the province is available to them to fill a shift – the employer just doesn’t want to put in the effort and do their job.
For more information, please contact:
BJ Chute - Director of Public Education,
Ambulance Paramedics of BC: 604.218.6169
