Bell won't do anything unless King Campbell tells him too otherwise he would be booted out of the palace.

Why do they drive up and down the highway with 'on strike' signs on the public ambulances? Its doesn't seem right to me on many levels.

To the fellow with the "2 bucks sucks" sign there are a lot of people that would kill for what you think sucks...

A lot of employees are being asked to make concessions in wages, benefits, &/or pensions to help companies stay afloat in these tough times.

Others have had hours cut back, or have lost their jobs altogether.

Perhaps it is time for civil servants, to make similar concessions, yet at the same time they demand raises, it boggles the mind that they do not see how this leads to contempt for them.

I have a job, I am working less hours this year, with less income, I worry about the company downsizing and kicking me to the curb or closing down with the same result. I worry as my income will be about 15% less than last year, yet mortgages, car payments, hydro, gas, and food are not going down.

Now is not a good time for you to be telling me that your nice secure job isn't worth the wages, benefits, and pensions you receive.

PGDriver - the reference to 2 bucks is not a raise, but the standby pay part time paramedics receive while being part of a on call ambulance crew. B C's ambulance service is roughly divided into 1/3 full time paramedics who receive a decent income and 2/3 part time paramedics who receive anywhere from a decent income to a postagestamp stamp income. There was a time when the pay of paramedics, police and firemen was almost equal. It is not anymore. Also, the breakdown of 911 calls is about 75% police, 20% ambulance and 5% fire, yet we have many many more firemen on a payroll than we have paramedics.

Would you stay home all weekend for 2 bucks an Hour, I don't think so.

I am as anti-union as they come. But there is a difference between unskilled pulp mill labor watching DVDs for $30 per hour and paramedics trying to save lifes and being paid $2 to be on call.

We are the ones that are going to suffer. The strong paramedics have options and they will simply find another job. The 2nd rate ones will have to take the crappy pay and stay.

And we end up with 2nd rate service when we or a loved one are struggling to survive after a heart attack or stroke.

Bell will do and say nothing very helpful.
He will only do what Gordon Campbell tells him he can do.
The ambulance workers should understand that by now, but no harm in trying!
I think the people of B.C. who rely on this service need to get behind them and raise a little hell.
This should have been settled long ago.

"Would you stay home all weekend for 2 bucks an Hour, I don't think so."

No. I would be too busy looking for a better job.

Steve knows all about it,he has been there for more than 20 Years, so read his Post and don't get exited about the great Pay.

What exactly does the minister of Forests and Range have to do with paramedics?
Do they not come under the health ministry?
Maybe even the justice Institute?
They sure do not come under forestry or farming.

I bet Mr Bell is going back to Victoria to tell Mr Hansen and Mr Campbell that they should role back the raises they gave themselves about a year ago.

Or maybe Mr Bell is going back to Victoria to tell Mr Hansen and Mr campbell that he wants a raise because he is tired of dealing with these pesky constituents.