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The Ghostriders hockey club hasn’t sold firewood for a couple years.

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Email for each of our Provinces MLA’S

kathy.corrigan.mla@leg.bc.ca; douglas.horne.mla@leg.bc.ca; harry.bains.mla@leg.bc.ca; raj.chouhan.mla@leg.bc.ca; harry.bloy.mla@leg.bc.ca; ida.chong.mla@leg.bc.ca; ben.stewart.mla@leg.bc.ca; carole.james.mla@leg.bc.ca; norm.letnick.mla@leg.bc.ca; bill.barisoff.mla@leg.bc.ca; kevin.falcon.mla@leg.bc.ca; stephanie.cadieux.mla@leg.bc.ca; shane.simpson.mla@leg.bc.ca; jagrup.brar.mla@leg.bc.ca; kash.heed.mla@leg.bc.ca; gordon.campbell.mla@leg.bc.ca; rob.fleming.mla@leg.bc.ca; moira.stilwell.mla@leg.bc.ca; linda.reid.mla@leg.bc.ca; gordon.hogg.mla@leg.bc.ca; adrian.dix.mla@leg.bc.ca; sue.hammell.mla@leg.bc.ca; mable.elmore.mla@leg.bc.ca; dawn.black.mla@leg.bc.ca

john.vandongen.mla@leg.bc.ca; mike.dejong.mla@leg.bc.ca; bob.simpson.mla@leg.bc.ca; kevin.krueger.mla@leg.bc.ca; terry.lake.mla@leg.bc.ca; rob.howard.mla@leg.bc.ca; nicholas.simons.mla@leg.bc.ca; randy.hawes.mla@leg.bc.ca

norm.macdonald.mla@leg.bc.ca; katrine.conroy.mla@leg.bc.ca; george.abbott.mla@leg.bc.ca; john.horgan.mla@leg.bc.ca; marc.dalton.mla@leg.bc.ca; shirley.bond.mla@leg.bc.ca; rich.coleman.mla@leg.bc.ca; claire.trevena.mla@leg.bc.ca; donna.barnett.mla@leg.bc.ca; john.slater.mla@leg.bc.ca; gary.coons.mla@leg.bc.ca; joan.mcintyre.mla@leg.bc.ca; pat.pimm.mla@leg.bc.ca; michael.sather.mla@leg.bc.ca; ralph.sultan.mla@leg.bc.ca; leonard.krog.mla@leg.bc.ca; murray.coell.mla@leg.bc.ca; pat.bell.mla@leg.bc.ca; iain.black.mla@leg.bc.ca; guy.gentner.mla@leg.bc.ca; dave.hayer.mla@leg.bc.ca; colin.hansen.mla@leg.bc.ca; bill.routley.mla@leg.bc.ca; blair.lekstrom.mla@leg.bc.ca; diane.thorne.mla@leg.bc.ca;

john.rustad.mla@leg.bc.ca; bill.bennett.mla@leg.bc.ca; don.mcrae.mla@leg.bc.ca; spencer.herbert.mla@leg.bc.ca; richard.lee.mla@leg.bc.ca; mary.mcneil.mla@leg.bc.ca; jenny.kwan.mla@leg.bc.ca; naomi.yamamoto.mla@leg.bc.ca; vicki.huntington.mla@leg.bc.ca; ron.cantelon.mla@leg.bc.ca; eric.foster.mla@leg.bc.ca; lana.popham.mla@leg.bc.ca; maurine.karagianis.mla@leg.bc.ca; steve.thomson.mla@leg.bc.ca; jane.thornthwaite.mla@leg.bc.ca; mike.farnworth.mla@leg.bc.ca; douglas.routley.mla@leg.bc.ca; bruce.ralston.mla@leg.bc.ca; john.yap.mla@leg.bc.ca; mary.polak.mla@leg.bc.ca; robin.austin.mla@leg.bc.ca

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Elk Valley PARTY Program
Canadian Ski Patrol
Canadian Ski Patrol is looking for recruits.

Contact Michelle Kramer

http://csps-fernie.ca/

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Paramedics behind
Published: April 13, 2009 8:00 AM
Updated: April 13, 2009 8:27 AM

As the British Columbia Ambulance Service (BCAS) rolls out its spin machine for the media, they have chosen to leave out some facts that even their vast numbers of bureacrts can’t put a positive spin to.

Those facts are: While they may be offering a whopping three per cent for one year right now, the other two years of their three-year contract offering is zero and zero.

Unbelievably, this offer comes on the heels of another zero-ridden contract.

A history of zero wage increases explains why the paramedics are tens of thousands of dollars behind the province’s other emergency servcie providers.

Today’s paramedics are highly trained professionals, not the “ambulance drivers” of World War Two. They save lives every day and do much to ensure the safety of thousands of patients.

This does not even begin to address their demanding shift work – two 12-hour days, followed by two 12-hour nights. Many clinical studies have shown the toll taken on one’s body working such short-cycle shift patterns.

It is interesting to note that when a report was released (commissioned by the BCAS), it urged the immediate addition of 14 new ambulances to meet the needs of B.C.’s rapid and significant population growth in some sectors as no new resources had been added in many years.

But no, rather than put front line resources on the road, the BCAS chose to beef up its bloated management ranks while adding only one new ambulance.

They couldn’t find money for more than one new ambulance, but could find the money for adding 146 new bureaucrats.

Jean Ledgerwood

[tmrinas]

Paramedics behind
Published: April 13, 2009 8:00 AM
Updated: April 13, 2009 8:27 AM

As the British Columbia Ambulance Service (BCAS) rolls out its spin machine for the media, they have chosen to leave out some facts that even their vast numbers of bureacrts can’t put a positive spin to.

Those facts are: While they may be offering a whopping three per cent for one year right now, the other two years of their three-year contract offering is zero and zero.

Unbelievably, this offer comes on the heels of another zero-ridden contract.

A history of zero wage increases explains why the paramedics are tens of thousands of dollars behind the province’s other emergency servcie providers.

Today’s paramedics are highly trained professionals, not the “ambulance drivers” of World War Two. They save lives every day and do much to ensure the safety of thousands of patients.

This does not even begin to address their demanding shift work – two 12-hour days, followed by two 12-hour nights. Many clinical studies have shown the toll taken on one’s body working such short-cycle shift patterns.

It is interesting to note that when a report was released (commissioned by the BCAS), it urged the immediate addition of 14 new ambulances to meet the needs of B.C.’s rapid and significant population growth in some sectors as no new resources had been added in many years.

But no, rather than put front line resources on the road, the BCAS chose to beef up its bloated management ranks while adding only one new ambulance.

They couldn’t find money for more than one new ambulance, but could find the money for adding 146 new bureaucrats.

Jean Ledgerwood

[tmrinas]

Our wages are the lowest paid emergency personal in the province. Which by this government we are not even considered as Emergency Services. We want long term stability. If we have to be at our station away from family we want compensation for that time. We need higher service levels; We need more ambulances and more staff throughout the province. What we want is a better ambulance service for our communities. We do not want to ever see anyone go with out an ambulance in there time of need.

http://www.saveourparamedics.com

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B.C. ambulance paramedics appear headed for a strike next week, and Health Minister George Abbott took the unusual step Thursday of going public to denounce their wage demands.
Abbott said the union’s demand for wage parity with Vancouver Police constables represents an 87 per cent increase in total compensation over the next seven years. That figure was rejected by union president John Strohmaier, who said the union wants four to 4.5 per cent per year over seven years.
"We will commence the strike on April 1," Strohmaier said in an interview from Vancouver. "I think there’s a certainty to that given Mr. Abbott’s comments today."
Abbott and Lee Doney, acting CEO of the B.C. Ambulance Service, held a news conference at the legislature to reveal that they had offered a one-year contract with a three per cent pay increase. Sweetened with signing bonuses of up to $4,100 for full-time paramedics and up to $2,600 for part-timers, the offer totals six per cent, but it was rejected.
Essential service provisions are being worked out that would keep most paramedics working, "so there is no reason why anyone need panic," Abbott said.
Abbott noted that "the clock is running out" on the life of the B.C. government, which will be dissolved April 14 for the provincial election. During the month-long campaign, the government would be unable to call the legislature back to pass back-to-work legislation.
Abbott urged the Canadian Union of Public Employees local 873 executive to let members vote on what he called a "generous" offer with signing bonuses larger than those accepted by dozens of other government unions in 2006.
"They won’t get an opportunity to vote on it because I won’t sign a memorandum," Strohmaier said. "My members aren’t interested a signing bonus as much as they are interested in narrowing the gap that exists between wages in emergency services."
Members have voted 97 per cent to give the union executive a strike mandate, and notice will be served to take effect at midnight March 31, he said.
Labour Minister Iain Black said he has asked his deputy Paul Straszak to assess the likelihood of a settlement and report to him by Sunday. Black wouldn’t comment on the possibility the government would consider back-to-work legislation next week, the last week of the session before the election campaign begins.
NDP health critic Adrian Dix said he has been urging the government for three years to deal with recruitment problems, especially in rural and remote areas where part-time paramedics hold other jobs and are paid $2 an hour to be on call.
"You have many areas, really huge swaths of the province where frequently there is no one on call," Dix said. "So if there’s a call in Anahim Lake, that means the ambulance goes from Williams Lake, which means the ambulances from 100 Mile [House] have to cover Williams Lake."

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Ambulance Strike Looming

Published Date: 2009/3/20 0:00:00Article ID : 6378
Version 1.00
By Tom Mureika

UCLUELET — B.C. paramedics appear to be facing an imminent strike at the end of this month.

The existing contract between the Canadian Union of Public Employees and the B.C. Ambulance Service will expire at the end of March, and according to Ucluelet Ambulance unit chief Joanne Trofanenko, “things do not look good.”

Several issues are at stake.

Part-time emergency-service workers receive $2 an hour to remain on call, and then once they are actually on a job they get what Trofanenko refers to as “dismal” wages when compared to emergency workers in other areas.

Gayle Ryon, Ucluelet ambulance shop steward, said the issue comes down to whether or not paramedics are considered “emergency services.”

“Right now, paramedics are considered as medical staff instead of as emergency responders and are paid accordingly.

“Even though we’re exposed to the same risks – if not greater – than emergency responders, we are paid as medical staff, which is substantially lower than the pay grade for emergency services workers,” he added. “So it all comes down to how emergency services is defined.”

Furthermore, in the event of a strike, the union may demand that part-time emergency workers become full-time employees, making an hourly wage but stationed at the ambulance centre.

Trofanenko said this is an issue because most of the part-time emergency workers have other jobs that will currently allow them to leave at a moment’s notice should an emergency arise.

“That’s essentially our partner jobs’ commitment to emergency services, to allow us to leave the instant a call comes in,” Trofanenko said. “It would seriously jeopardize our relationships with our partner jobs if we had to remain at the station full time.

Trofanenko also said staying full-time at the station is unrealistic.

“I converted my office into a bedroom, so we would have some comforts at the station. But the union won’t cover costs such as pots and pans and dishes for the station.”

Trofanenko said she has gotten around the problem by using funds given during Paramedic Appreciation Week to purchase some amenities for the station.

Ryon said the station is only equipped to sleep two people at a time, so should a strike action require the part-time workers to take on full time status there are still problems of accommodations.

Ryon also said Ucluelet relies a great deal upon out-of-town paramedics and that only half of the staff is actually local.

“You can’t make a living being an emergency worker unless you’re working full time,” added Trofanenko.

Furthermore, benefits for part-timers don’t kick in until after they have been working for six years, and even those are minimal on account of the part-time services.

“It’s been a real damper on our being able to recruit to remote, rural areas like Ucluelet,” Trofanenko said.

Should the contract expire at the end of the month, an emergency services-strike would follow.

Trofanenko said this would involve BCAS legally withdrawing their services.

But Trofanenko said her team is committed to keeping emergency services operational even in the event of a strike.

“It will be a matter of determining what emergency services are, but we can’t – in good conscience – withdraw our services when our neighbour might be in need.”

“We don’t want to leave the community without essential services,” said Ryon. “But we can’t let the employer benefit from a strike action without hurting our workers. We’re in a sticky situation where we don’t want to hurt either our community or our workers.”

Ryon said the union has just re-entered a new mediation process with the employer and is expecting a new offer by the weekend.

However, he pointed out that a recent poll of active BCAS members showed a 96 per cent show of favor for a strike action given the current status of the employer’s offer.

“At this point in time, we are anticipating a strike at the end of the month,” said Ryon. “It seems like that’s the direction things are heading.”

Ryon said since this was a provincial matter, he hoped there would be a quick reconciliation.

Trofanenko will take the matter before Ucluelet council Tuesday night to raise public awareness.

“What this matter really needs is community support,” said Ryon. “The public needs to be made aware of what’s really going on. After all, these are essential services that we’re talking about – and they should be treated as such.”

B.C. Ambulance Service did not return calls by publication.

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http://www.saveourparamedics.com is one way the Ambulance Paramedics of BC are standing up for the equal rights of ALL Paramedics in British Columbia.

BC communities have been designated by the British Columbia Ambulance Service as Remote, Rural, Urban and Metropolitan. All four of these type of communities are in a dire situation.

Paramedics are a vital piece of every BC community. Unfortunately, the BC Ambulance service has decided that not all communities deserve equal Paramedic coverage.

If you are in a remote or rural community your service level and response times should be of concern. You and your family may be at risk. Remote and Rural communities are normally staffed by On Call Volunteers who respond to your emergency from a pager call. BC Ambulance does not want full time service models in these communities.

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BOO HOO!

Try working For the Ambulance Service

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Make a difference and write to your elected officials and tell them that you want changes in the management of your ambulance service.

MLA: Hon. George Abbott
The Honorable Mr. George Abbott
Minister of Health
Office:
Room 337
Parliament Buildings
Victoria, BC
V8V 1X4
Phone: 250 953-3547
Fax: 250 356-9587

george.abbott.mla@leg.bc.ca

MLA: Bill Bennett
East Kootenay
100C Cranbrook Street North
Cranbrook, BC
V1C 3P9
Phone: 250 417-6022
Fax: 250 417-6026
bill.bennett.mla@leg.bc.ca

MLA: Hon. Gordon Campbell
Vancouver-Point Grey
Office:
Room 156
Parliament Buildings
Victoria, BC
V8V 1X4
Phone: 250 387-1715
Fax: 250 387-0087
gordon.campbell.mla@leg.bc.ca or premier@gov.bc.ca

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Try Glen Burgess (250) 429-3933
They might have some.

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Try E-mailing my wife achris@fernie.com
I believe she charges between $15 and $20 per day for boarding.

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ISLAND LAKE is expanding big time. That’s a go. FAR only takes from Fernie they don’t add to it. (But they put new lifts in) (paid for by Inhams Tours from the UK) FAR put in for tenure on the land along Lizard Creek and back to the existing resort. (the original ski hill area, not Snow Valley area) I hope they don’t get it. That area is great for cross country skiing, snowshoeing and dogsledding. It is all Galoway Lumber land right now. Even though FAR plows the entrance in so that in the winter nobody can use it. (old rod and gun club area)

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My wife hasn’t had one for the ten years she has been here. Battery warmer and a good cranking battery will do. And if in doubt by a magnetic block heater.

[Author]

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