KHOU.com
AUSTIN, Texas — A 48 hour work week is taking a toll on Austin-Travis County EMS workers. A new city audit that surveyed medics says they’re sleepy on the job, have trouble focusing at times, and are frustrated.
After months of negotiation, they got a new contract Thursday, but it doesn’t include the one thing they really wanted; a shorter work week.
President of the EMS Employee Association Tony Marquardt explains the challenge: “We start with a 48 hour work week, 24 hours on — and a couple of days off, which is grueling”. Paramedic Trevor Burrier has been responding to emergency calls in Austin for seven years. He’s excited that the contract includes a pay raise and flexibility in the hiring process. Burrier believes a shorter week will help with the most critical challenges of his job, which can be both physical, and emotional.
Full story: New EMS Contract does not address fatigue issue