B.C. emergency communications professionals vote in support of strike action

VANCOUVER — A union representing more than 700 emergency communications professionals in British Columbia says members have voted 95 per cent in favour of strike action, while negotiating an essential services order with their employer.

CUPE 8911 says the result underscores growing concerns about staffing, workload and long-term sustainability of the 911 system.

It says once the process to negotiate the essential services order with E-Comm is complete, the workers would be in a legal strike position.

The vote comes after the union said it had not been able to reach a new contract after months of negotiations, with workers seeking higher pay, improved staffing levels and health supports.

E-Comm has said its top priority is ensuring 911 services are not interrupted and said last month it would bring in the BC Labour Relations Board for mediation.

The union says negotiations are set to resume Friday, with the results of the strike vote in hand.

“This vote reflects the reality front-line staff are facing every day,” said Donald Grant, president of CUPE 8911, in a news release Thursday. “Our members are under increasing pressure, and they need an agreement that supports them and stabilizes the system.”

The union has said staff have reported high rates of burnout, occupational stress injuries and excessive hours driven by staff shortages.

The employer has said it is focused on reaching a fair and sustainable deal that supports employees and their service delivery while also recognizing “fiscal pressures facing the public sector and our funding partners in local government.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 14, 2026.