Talks between striking paramedics, employer break down

Talks between B.C.'s striking paramedics and the provincial ambulance service collapsed Friday and no new date was set for them to resume.

The 3,500 ambulance paramedics have been on strike since April 1. Some remain on the job because of provincial essential-service legislation.

They're looking for faster ambulance response times, better staffing levels and wage parity with other emergency responders.

The union has asked for a seven per cent wage increase every year for three years, while the employer, the B.C. Ambulance Service, offered a three per cent hike in a one-year deal.

According to the union, B.C. ambulance paramedics are the lowest paid in the country, with an average wage of $28 per hour, compared to $31.25 in Calgary and $43.27 in Edmonton.

The province argues the wages of full-time ambulance paramedics in B.C. are on par with others in the country.

Union spokesperson B.J. Chute said Friday the ambulance service has repeatedly presented the same offer.

"This time all they did was drop the original signing bonus — they didn't even change the date on the package they presented from the one they gave us in March," Chute said in a written statement.

He added that the government's bargaining team doesn't appear to have a mandate to make any significant decisions.

"We have been pushing for an independent arbitrator to be appointed so we can settle this dispute."