EMT's avoid strike
This story appeared on WMUR.com on Monday July 30, 2007

NATICK, Mass. -- Local emergency medical technicians will not be walking off the job Monday morning. The National EMS Association struck a new deal this weekend with American Medical Response, the largest ambulance company in the U.S. EMTs had threatened to strike if they didn't get better pay and medical benefits. The private company serves 40 communities in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine. Several local cities and towns had scrambled to put backup plans into place. Because of this deal, there will no disruption in services.

Original Story -

Emergency Workers Vote To Strike

Group Has Contingency Plan In Place

This story appeared on WMUR.com on July 20, 2007

BOSTON -- The nation's largest ambulance provider could soon be in critical condition right here in New England. Ninety-two percent of the paramedics and EMT's who work for American Medical Response throughout Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine voted to strike a week from Monday. The employees said they're upset about plans to cut wages and benefits.

AMR provides primary emergency medical services for cities and towns such as Newton, Brockton and Framingham. AMR said they are committed to bargaining in good faith and that they have a contingency plan in place if a strike takes place.

INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FIRE FIGHTERS
POSITION STATEMENT:


AMR Employee Strike in New England
American Medical Response (AMR) Employees in the New England area (primarily Massachusetts) represented by the
National Emergency Medical Services Association (NEMSA) rejected a recent contract offer and voted on July 18 to authorize a strike. NEMSA has notified AMR that a strike will take place beginning Monday, July 30, 2007 at 7:00 a.m.

AT THIS TIME, THE COMMUNITIES LIKELY TOHAVE 9-1-1 EMS SERVICES AFFECTEDBY A STRIKE INCLUDE:
Massachusetts —FRAMINGHAM, NEWTON,WALTHAM,WELLESLY, PLYMOUTH, PLYMPTON, HOLDEN,
TAUNTON,MIDDLEBORO, BROCKTON, ATTLEBORO, NEWBURYPORT and MILFORD
New Hampshire —HAMPTON FALLS, HAMPSTEAD and SOMERSWORTH
Maine —ELLIOT and KITTERY
Representatives fromthe IAFF and the Professional Fire Fighters ofMassachusetts aremeeting andworkingwith representatives for NEMSA and theMassachusetts Fire Chiefs Association to assure that the EMS safety net is in place during this strike, tomake sure we continue to respond to 9-1-1 calls formedical assistance and to protect the well-being of citizens in the affected communities.

At the same time, we are standing strong, keeping our commitment to honor our solidarity as union brothers and sisters with those striking workers.

TO ENSURE WE ACCOMPLISH BOTH GOALS, IT IS THE IAFF POSITION THAT:
• Every IAFF member must honor the NEMSA picket lines. No union is stronger than this IAFF, and at a time
of need for a sister union, we will stand in solidarity with them through even the toughest of circumstances.

• Any IAFF member working for AMR as a side-job in any capacity, in any of the affected areas, should
NOT work for AMR during the strike. This includes those employed in a management capacity with AMR.

• To protect our members’ rights during this time, IAFF affiliate officers should review their current
contracts for any language regarding the provision of EMS. Affiliate leaders should inform management
that under M.G.L.Chapter 150E, any change in working conditions must be negotiated. It is expected that these negotiations will not at any time affect the provision of public services.

• When on an EMS call as part of your shift at your fire department, you should act solely to ensure the
safety and well-being of the patient(s). That means, even if an AMR ambulance staffed with scabs shows up to
transport a patient, IAFF members providing patient care at the scene who would routinely hand off the patient to AMR personnel or ride with the patient are to perform their duty as professionals and as you would during normal operations.

To ensure that our members are not put in the position of crossing a picket line or violating an order,NEMSA has agreed to NOT put any picket line in front of a fire station where an AMR ambulance is stationed. NEMSA has also agreed to refrain from picket lines at emergency rooms where you will be transporting your 911 patients.

Additionally, in our ongoing dialogue with the Massachusetts Fire Chiefs Association,we have recommended that all AMR apparatus and equipment be removed fromall fire stations prior to the strike. To ensure that patients are transported as efficiently as possible, if necessary, a fleet of spare fire department ambulanceswill be placed in service and staffed by full-time fire fighters.

• All IAFF members should follow the orders of fire department officers while on duty. We understand that
this is an expectation of performance at work every day, but we believe it is imperative to reinforce during this strike that directives issued by fire officers in regard to the provision of EMS are followed and that the public be assured a timely response to a call for help.

This situation is being closely monitored at several levels, and updates will be provided as information becomes available.

If you have questions, call your local president.

The IAFF is available to your local’s officers 24-7 to assist with questions.

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