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
Union leaders warn up to 1,500 EMTs and paramedics may leave in 2026 as pay disparities with firefighters worsen staffing shortages and response times
After months of delays tied to federal labor rules, employees at North Huntingdon EMS/Rescue voted to remove Teamsters Local 205 as their bargaining representative
In Fort Worth, rising EMS attrition has prompted the fire department to shift crews to a 24/48 schedule
Grapevine firefighters union says emergency calls have surged nearly 20% since 2021 and warns the plan to close Engine 1 could weaken overall response capability
A public feud in Clinton Township is raising questions about EMS response models, as officials push for more EMT-based responses while firefighters warn reducing paramedic staffing could cut advanced care
Grapevine officials say shifting fire department resources toward EMS is needed to match call volume, but critics warn the plan could affect response coverage
The Albuquerque City Council voted to restore the fire chief’s authority over a controversial EMS staffing model that shifts paramedics onto fire engines
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
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