Talks have broken off between 911 operators and their employer

The union representing emergency dispatchers says talks have broken down between B-C’s 9-1-1 operators and their employer, E-Comm, but the company says it still wants to bargain.

The union says E-Comm has been unwilling to address low wages, cost of living, over time, missed breaks, poor working conditions, burnout,and high attrition.

Unit Chair Matthew Bordewick says it became apparent during bargaining that E-Comm is “desperately underfunded” and clearly lacks the resources to deliver a critical public service.

E-Comm, which handles approximately 99 per cent of 9-1-1 calls in B-C, says mediator Trevor Sones has not booked out and the two sides are still in mediation at the Labour Relations Board.