Labor & Union Issues
The labor and union issues topic brings together a range of relevant news, articles and resources for EMS personnel and agencies.
We laugh about our own fatigue-related episodes, but such gallows humor belittles the real issue that lies beneath
By combining salary and cost of living, EMS1 has targeted the 10 best states for EMTs
Here is why paramedic chiefs and EMS leaders need to have a drug-free workplace policy to restrict EMS provider marijuana use
Under the proposed act, federal grant funding for mental wellness support would no longer carry a funding match requirement
Council members raised concerns over hiring practices after noting the low proportion of minority first responders in the minority-majority city
The legislation package was introduced by Assemblymember and former EMT Freddie Rodriguez
Under current law, volunteers may only be covered if they are injured during an emergency response and not during other on-duty activities
Tampa Council Chairman Luis Viera championed the addition of the second ambulance after hearing of the station’s overwhelming call volume
A spokeswoman for the state’s Department of Health declined to say why former Office of EMS Director Scot Phelps was terminated on Wednesday
One union leader said 75% of the city’s EMS workforce has less than five years of experience due to high turnover
The paramedic currently being considered for promotion to lieutenant is currently under investigation for one of at least five complaints
The arbitrator said the firefighter gave varying accounts of the incident and failed to contain her emotions during the call
The union posted their concerns on social media and published an open letter suggesting possible solutions
The arbitrator said the lieutenant’s firing was unfair because three other medics involved in the incident were only suspended
The uncle of FDNY EMT Yadira Arroyo, who was killed in 2017, questioned city council over the disparities in pay for EMS versus fire personnel
The city is asking a judge to reverse the decision of an arbitrator that reinstated the firefighter, who is facing felony charges
According to a memo by the supervisor he claimed harassed him, the medic broke Florida law in five cases, two of which resulted in death
Medics said the new schedule, which increases hours and implements a shift bidding system, will increase fatigue and risks to safety
Cleveland EMS providers are protesting the city’s repeated legal challenges to a contract that would provide paid leave and treatment for PTSD
Union members expressed outrage and urged support for a picket march after the city again challenged an arbitration ruling in court
A city board rescinded layoff notices for the paramedics after the chief sought to replace them with firefighter-paramedics
County EMS providers are seeking a collective bargaining agreement, claiming staff shortages are creating safety risks
The union has called its members to action after it says the city has failed to comply with a collective bargaining agreement
Fire fatalities in New York City fell by 25% last year, but 2019 also saw the second-highest amount of medical emergencies in FDNY history
Mayor Dave Wood had vetoed a provision that provides $100 and $50 stipends to paramedics in charge during each shift
More than 2,500 EMTs and paramedics signed onto the lawsuit, which claimed the city never paid them for the half-hour of prep work per shift
They have agreed to a renegotiated contract that the company said will bump their pay as much as 11.86%
“People make life-threatening decisions based on their ability to pay. There will be people who won’t call 911,” Dr. Jessica Saxe said
O’Rourke’s campaign said the candidate shared the story not to criticize the first responders, but to criticize the weapons used in the killing
The Austin-Travis County EMS union is calling for the creation of a police dispatch code that informs officers whenever a medic is in distress
A recent government study of 15 agencies found they struggle with too few firefighters, not enough money and ambulance services that are stretched thin
The county will pay $7,600 for Bobby Bohn’s school, and will also pay him to take 1,200 hours of classes, 450 hours of ambulance rides and hospital hours
Five Mad River Twp. Fire/EMS Department responders resigned after firefighter-paramedic Michael Newkirk claimed leaders were intimidating and hostile
