HSA paramedical professionals vote 94 per cent in favour of Foley report

Paramedical professionals represented by the Health Sciences Association of BC have voted 94 per cent in favour of the contract recommended by Mediator Brian Foley.

HSA represents more than 90 per cent of paramedical professionals across the province.

"This contract is good news for HSA and for all paramedical professionals," says Chief Negotiator Rick Lampshire. "Given the current political and economic climate, we feel that this collective agreement is fair and equitable."

Lampshire notes that Mr. Foley's report addressed all of the major issues put forward by the unions including: increased compensation for on-call, a new long-term disability plan and $30 million toward parity for community-based paramedical professionals.

HSA is the lead union in the Paramedical Professional Bargaining Association which also includes the BCGEU, CUPE, PEA, UFCW and HEU. The overall vote for the bargaining association was 79 per cent in favour of the contract.

This collective agreement covers more than 10,000 paramedical professionals across BC including: lab technologists, x-ray technologists, pharmacists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, radiation therapists, respiratory therapists, pre-school teachers, community mental health professionals, social workers, dietitians, health records administrators, alcohol and drug counsellors and speech and language pathologists.

For more information contact:
Rebecca Maurer, Director of Communications
(604) 439-0994