The union that represents thousands of B.C. ambulance paramedics and 911 dispatchers in B.C., says its members have voted “overwhelmingly” in support of strike action.

Ambulance Paramedics of B.C. said in a news release that 97 per cent of more than 6,000 members voted in support of job action. On the union’s website, it says it represents more than 4,500 ambulance paramedics and emergency dispatchers across the province.

CBC News has requested more details from the union. A representative on the phone said they were not taking interview requests Wednesday, but will be providing an update with media during a scheduled press conference on Thursday afternoon.

The union has previously said 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.

Union president Jason Jackson said in a statement last month that the union had met with the employer in an effort to advance negotiations and avoid any disruption to services but “no positive progress was made.”

The Health Employers Association of B.C. said in an email to CBC News that it has been negotiating with the union’s bargaining team over the past week.

It said B.C. has “robust essential services” requirements within the health sector to prevent danger to the public in the event of job action.