Labor & Union Issues
The labor and union issues topic brings together a range of relevant news, articles and resources for EMS personnel and agencies.
The EMS Counts Act would update federal labor statistics to include EMS providers who also serve as firefighters
What happens if EMS providers who use marijuana safely and legally test positive days later in violation of policies?
There are great EMS employers out there, but finding them takes time, and the willingness to take risks on the unknown
The agreement ends the city’s legal fight over who controls Albuquerque ambulance staffing, pauses further ALS-related staffing changes and creates a joint EMS training committee
The Bloomington Fire Department says the added day off between shifts has attracted more applicants, including a growing number of EMT-certified recruits
New FDNY Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore says low EMS pay is hurting recruitment and retention as medical calls make up the majority of the department’s workload
A proposal to add civilian ambulance drivers to Lockport’s fire-based EMS system ignited a public dispute over overtime, staffing models and accountability
A three-year agreement approved by Teamsters Local 763 includes a 19% wage increase, improved shift pay and stronger protections for part-time and training staff
Nearly 30 Volusia County EMTs face repayment demands ranging from $76 to $62,000 after a payroll coding error, and the union is pushing back
Hennepin EMS union says federal operations are placing dangerous pressure on emergency response capacity and impacting basic services daily
St. Joseph City Council approved a new IAFF Local 77 contract with phased pay raises, longevity boosts and EMT pay changes
Orland Park firefighters’ union says ambulance shortages put residents at risk, while the new fire chief says call data does not justify restoring full service
Mass. city leaders face questions after ending 25-year ambulance provider relationship
About 15,000 nurses walked off the job at multiple New York City hospital systems after contract talks failed, a move that could force patient transfers, procedure cancellations and ambulance diversions
Ohio County commissioners were told that paramedics’ pay increases have averaged less than 1% annually since 2020
Armstrong Ambulance says Medford officials chose Cataldo Ambulance Service, a move that union EMTs and paramedics say lacked transparency and public input
Boardman Medic 71 was offline on Oct. 31 due to low staffing, as the fire chief cites ongoing shortages after a $6.1M levy failed
UNM Hospital nurses, staff say denied raises and noncompetitive pay worsen chronic understaffing and overcrowding, with capacity often at 105%–120%
After Fort Worth Chief Jim Davis resigned, his lawyer argued the firefighters’ union impeded safety fixes by resisting a NIOSH review
Fort Worth Fire Chief Jim Davis steps down after being placed on administrative leave amid firefighter union concerns over the MedStar merger and ambulance duty requirements
Picketing nurses rushed inside to assist, but Henry Ford Genesys Hospital administrators ordered them out, saying staffing was adequate despite the code-black influx
An Orlando Fire Department EMT was fired after a months-long investigation into a 34-second video clip where they made a comment about women’s voting rights
Greenville City Council approves a 24/72 schedule to boost recruitment and work-life balance
Leaked tape shows ex-aide opposed raising FDNY EMT pay to firefighter levels, stalling Adams’ parity pledge amid worsening EMS staffing crisis
Ninth Circuit upholds Snohomish Regional Fire and Rescue’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate, denies firefighters’ exemptions
Lake County officials said the change will cut the average workweek to 42 hours and boost health, morale and staffing
FDNY EMS officer and union vice president says separating EMS from the FDNY would close pay gaps, curb turnover and give medics the autonomy to modernize patient care
Paramedic Grace Denny says every medic faces a weekly violent encounter as unions warn EMS workers are four times more likely to be injured
Ahead of an Aug. 12 vote, the Hennepin County Association of Paramedics & EMTs supports increased oversight of the hospital system
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- Fla. FD EMT fired over comment about women’s right to vote during call
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