B.C. 911 workers vote overwhelmingly in favour of strike

The union representing B.C.'s 911 workers has held a strike vote, with 95 per cent of its members voting for strike action. Photo by David Bloom /PNG

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Citing staffing issues, workload, and the long-term sustainability of the emergency communication system, 911 operators represented by CUPE 8911 voted 95 per cent in favour of strike action on Wednesday.

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The workers, who answer the initial emergency calls in B.C. and provide dispatch services for emergency services across the province, are seeking a new agreement that includes “fair wages reflecting the responsibility and complexity of the job.” They’re also asking for more staffing and recruitment, and better health and wellness supports.

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“This vote reflects the reality frontline staff are facing every day,” said CUPE 8911 president Donald Grant. “Our members are under increasing pressure, and they need an agreement that supports them and stabilizes the system.

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“This is what it takes to have a strong, sustainable system. Investing in workers is investing in public safety and a system people can rely on in critical moments.”

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A strike is not necessarily imminent: The union says it would be “a last resort,” but the union and the provincial government are negotiating an essential services order. Once that process is done, workers could legally strike.

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More than seven hundred 911 operators, call takers, dispatchers, IT and support professionals are employed by Emergency Communications Professionals of B.C., with workplaces in Vancouver, Burnaby and Saanich. They handle 99 per cent of the 911 calls in the province, working with 33 police agencies and 40 fire departments.

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E-Comm operators answered more than two million 911 calls in 2025, with an average speed to answer of one second — among the fastest in the world, according to its website. Its previous three-year collective bargaining agreement, which expired on Dec. 31, 2025, included wage increases of 4.25, 3.75, and 3.5 per cent in each year of the agreement.

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“The results of this vote make it clear that workers need more support,” said Grant. “That support is critical to maintaining a stable, reliable 9-1-1 system. With negotiations resuming Friday, we’re ready to move forward and reach a deal, but we need to see that same commitment from the employer.”

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