13onyourSide.com
EL CENTRO, Calif. — With less than 48 hours to go — and no labor agreement in sight — paramedics in Imperial Valley plan to strike on Sunday.
It’s union claims Gold Cross has not met it’s demands to give paramedics $1 pay raise. 13 On Your Side spoke with several residents who say they rely on paramedics to be on-call in case on an emergency. They say paramedics deserve a raise and a contract should be negotiated to avoid a strike.
“There’s people out there, like me, and if I don’t get the service I need…I will sue!” Ethel Grace has has knee problems and her legs suffer due to diabetes. She says last week her knee gave out and she fell. A Gold Cross ambulance arrived within 10 minutes to help her get back on her feet. Grace is concerned if paramedics go on strike, the next time she needs to call for an emergency — paramedics may not show up.
Full story: Residents react to planned paramedic strike, county remains on sidelines