In the midst of a “dire” staffing shortage, the union representing E-Comm’s 911 operators is calling on the employer to extend temporary compensation and psychological supports.
Emergency Communications Professionals of BC (CUPE 8911) said Tuesday dispatchers are increasingly working “forced overtime” and going long stretches without breaks in an “unsustainable” environment.
“We’ve been in a dire situation when it comes to staffing for a while now, and these temporary measures really alleviated a lot of that pain on Friday and Saturday night,” union president Donald Grant told Global News.
“Those were the hardest to fill shifts and folks were experiencing higher staffing levels. While those staffing levels weren’t enough … I can’t imagine how much worse it would have been.”
