B.C.'s 911 operators reach new agreement with employer

Emergency dispatchers across B.C. have reached a new collective agreement with their employer after 11 months of sometimes contentious bargaining.

E-Comm and CUPE Local 873 announced the deal Monday, saying it includes pay raises for 911 operators and support staff.

"We recognize and appreciate the critical role our employees play in emergency communications, and the valuable work they do every day keeping British Columbians safe," E-Comm CEO Oliver Grter-Andrew said in a news release.

E-Comm handles approximately 99 per cent of 911 calls in B.C.

The employer and the union began bargaining in April 2019, and moved into mediated talks in October. Those talks broke down in November, when the union said E-Comm appeared unwilling to address problems like low wages and poor working conditions.

The new collective agreement is a result of binding interest arbitration than began in December.