Nearly two hundred emergency medical services (EMS) professionals at American Medical Response (AMR) voted overwhelmingly last week to join AFSCME District Council 20. “We want to make sure we have adequate rest between shifts so that public safety is not compromised," said EMT Daniel Hoock. Other issues included scheduling, fatigue, training, equipment, and employee turnover; more than 70 percent voted in favor of unionizing. “I can’t further my education because of scheduling,” said EMT Mosiah Grayton. “We never know when we’ll get off work. I can’t afford to go down to part time because I’ll lose my benefits.” The union plans to begin bargaining for a first contract as soon as possible.
photo: EMTs after delivering a letter on February 24 informing AMR managers they were forming a union; photo by Justin Lee/AFSCME
photo: EMTs after delivering a letter on February 24 informing AMR managers they were forming a union; photo by Justin Lee/AFSCME