The union representing B.C.’s ambulance paramedics and emergency dispatchers says its more than 6,000 members have voted “overwhelmingly” in favour of a strike.

Ambulance Paramedics of BC- CUPE 733 says the results of the vote earlier this month are in — and 97 per cent of members support taking job action.

A strike has not been called as of Wednesday, but the union says it will provide an update on its negotiations Thursday at noon.

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In a January statement, union president Jason Jackson said the government’s offer continues to fall short of what members need to support themselves and their families and protect their mental health and safety.

Tuesday’s vote results, the union says, send “a clear message that frontline paramedics and dispatchers are prepared to act to improve paramedic services and supports systems that are much needed.”

Communications Director Ian Tait has told 1130 NewsRadio that members are frustrated and sad.

“This isn’t something that we wanted. We know the realities of a strike,” Tait said last month.

“We’re already struggling to keep ambulances staffed now, and we just know that this is not a position we wanted to be in.”

The union says the ambulance service operates under significant staffing pressures, and paramedics are deployed across the province to address long-term service gaps, particularly in rural, remote, and Indigenous communities.

1130 NewsRadio has reached out to BC- CUPE 733 for more information.