By Rich Lord
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (Pennsylvania)
Copyright 2006 P.G. Publishing Co.
City of Pittsburgh paramedics will meet today to discuss, and possibly vote on, a new contract.
Two union meetings, at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m., come a day before a six-month extension of the paramedics’ contract expires. Paramedics are talking about striking, perhaps as early as next week, when the Pittsburgh Three Rivers Regatta and Major League Baseball All-Star Game give them maximum leverage.
Paramedics have long fought for pay parity with police and firefighters. They’ve tried to fend off what they say are encroachments by firefighters, who also respond to medical emergencies.
The city has been pleading poverty, citing its distressed status under state law and a recovery plan that limits contracts.
Jeff Vesci, president of the Fraternal Association of Professional Paramedics, declined comment yesterday. City Solicitor Susan Malie would not comment on any city labor negotiations, other than to say they were ongoing.
City negotiations with refuse collectors, who have also threatened to strike before the All-Star Game, are on hold this week, but are set to start again Monday.
Mayor Bob O’Connor attended a negotiating session on Friday, said Teamsters Local 249 Vice President Joe Rossi, who represents the collectors.
“We’re close, I think, to bringing a proposal back to the rank and file,” Mr. Rossi said. He said it will address at least one of his concerns, which is partly bridging the pay gap between experienced and newer workers.
“Whether it gets ratified or not, I’m not quite sure,” he said. “I definitely think there’s a strong possibility for a strike on July 8.”
He said the city is gathering trucks at public works facilities that it could use to collect trash in the event of a strike. He noted that public works truck drivers are Teamsters, and might refuse to cross picket lines.
“This thing has the potential to get ugly,” he said.
The refuse workers’ last contract expired at the end of 2003.