BRIDGEPORT, Conn. — Several Conn. medics have been suspended for working for another paid ambulance service.
The suspended employees of American Medical Response Inc. were also working for “competing” company Valley Emergency Medical Service, according to CTPost.
Bill Schietenger, manager of AMR’s Bridgeport division, sent a memo to the affected medics saying VEMS “submitted a bid against AMR” in its service area and that everyone should know AMR’s stance on employees working for competitors.
CTPost reports that about 15 medics have been put on administrative leave.
Executive director of VEMS, Bob Petinella, said that his company’s policy is more lax.
“Our position is that the folks we employ are professionals and they can work for whoever they want,” he said. “We’re not going to affect their ability to work or to earn income... “
Those employees have contacted a lawyer, who is now preparing a lawsuit on their behalf, citing Conn.'s Unfair Trade Practices Act.