Vancouver, B.C.—Today CUPE 873-02 announced that talks between E-Comm and the Union that represents its bargaining unit employees had broken down. However, E-Comm can confirm that Mediator Trevor Sones has not booked out and we are still in mediation at the Labour Relations Board (LRB). Further, E-Comm has expressed a desire to continue bargaining and will certainly make itself available once the Union indicates it is available to come to the table.
E-Comm’s goal is to reach an agreement that is fair and reasonable and hopes that CUPE 873-02 will agree to keep talking with the assistance of the LRB.
Due to the critical nature of the services we provide, E-Comm will be designated an “essential service” employer. As such, and as a precautionary measure, E-Comm will work with the LRB to ensure that essential bargaining unit work continues to be performed to limit any impact on public safety services should CUPE 873-02 choose to take a strike vote and subsequent job action.
“The Union’s statements regarding the employer are meant to pressure us to bargain in public,’” said E-Comm CEO Oliver Grüter-Andrew. “We’d rather talk at the table and work together to address our staffing challenges and the many opportunities to advance public safety collaboratively.”
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NOTE for media: We invite the media to review our contracted 9-1-1 service level results that are posted monthly on www.ecomm911.ca. Information on non-emergency wait times is also available on our website.
About E-Comm
E-Comm is the first point of contact for 9-1-1 callers in 25 regional districts in British Columbia and provides dispatch services for more than 70 police agencies and fire departments. E‐Comm also owns and operates the largest multi‐jurisdictional, tri‐service wide‐area radio network in the province used by police, fire and ambulance personnel throughout Metro Vancouver and parts of the Fraser Valley. In 2018, E-Comm handled nearly 1.6 million 9-1-1 calls in B.C.
Media contact:
Jasmine Bradley
E-Comm Media Relations
604-215-5023