Paramedics earn wage hike; ink new deal
BY ROBBIE SEQUEIRA
In the midst of a paramedic
workforce crisis that includes
declining retention rates
across the city, NYC paramedics
received a big victory
on Aug. 6, earning retroactive
wage increases following
months of labor negotiations.
In a tentative agreement
struck between union group
EMS Local 2507 leaders and
the New York City labor commissioners,
FDNY Emergency
Medical Technicians
(EMT), paramedics and fi re
inspectors will receive an increase
of wages compensatory
to years on the job and is
being funded through an extra
130 hours annually, going
from a scheduled 1,957 hours
to 2,088 hours.
Oren Barzilay, president of
EMS Local 2507, said that the
agreement is a “start” for New
York City paramedics who
have been on the frontlines of
the COVID-19 pandemic and
faced a decline in retention including
50% of EMT’s quitting
after their fi rst three years
on the job as well as growing
safety concerns.
“Our union has aggressively
fought to make the public
more aware of the challenging
workplace and economic
conditions of the women and
men of FDNY EMS,” said Barzilay
in a statement. “This
contract is but a start, to
bring us closer to the wage
equity we have been fi ghting
for. New Yorkers have made it
abundantly clear, that they respect
the work and sacrifi ce of
our amazingly dedicated and
professional EMS and Fire Inspectors.”
New York’s ‘Leaders of Labor’
to be celebrated in September
BRONX TIMES REPORTER,66 AUG. 20-26, 2021 BTR
Under the tentative agreement,
a top paid paramedic
will earn a base salary of
$65,000, which increases to
$86,379 after the fi fth year of
employment and up to $91,779
after 20 years.
Additionally, top paid fi re
protection inspectors earn a
starting wage of $52,070 upon
being hired, with an increase
to $62,808 after fi ve years and
growth to $73,986 after 20
years.
Originally, the entry-level
salary for ambulance workers
is $16.95 per hour or $33,000 a
year – about $2 above the minimum
wage. The starting annual
salary of an EMT was
$35,000, reaching a maximum
of $48,000 after fi ve years.
Before the agreement,
FDNY EMS workers were
paid about 40% less than fi refi
ghters and police offi cers.
EMS 2507 Local offi cials said
the new agreement will put
EMS workers on a similar
wage model to the city’s police
offi cers and fi refi ghters.
“Despite the applause
and the accolades, New York
City’s medical fi rst responders,
our city’s ‘street doctors’
have had to fi ght and claw for
every ounce of recognition,
just to be considered by the
city an equal to our great police
and fi refi ghter,” Barzilay
said.
The Bronx Times reported
on the city’s need to bolster its
paramedics roster following
the launch of the Earn While
You Learn Program that is
currently underway at west
Bronx’s Hunter Ambulance.
Elected offi cials touted the
program, a 10-week training
course for soon-to-be paramedics
for anyone age 18 and
older, as a recruiting tool for
the city’s depleted paramedic
workforce.
NYC’s EMS workforce has been facing a signifi cant retention crisis, as 50% of EMT’s were quitting after just
three years on the job and 70% were leaving for other jobs and careers by their fi fth year.
Photo REUTERS/Lucas Jackson
The most powerful advocates for New York’s workers will be honored in a
special way during the “Leaders of Labor” event hosted by Schneps Media this
September.
Sponsored by NSPC Brain & Spine Surgery, the celebration honoring
members of the labor community and the organizations that support them will be
held in person and virtually on Thursday, Sept. 9, 2021, at Terrace on the Park in
Queens’ Flushing Meadows Corona Park.
Schneps Media is currently accepting nominations from the public for
special honorees at the event. “Leaders of Labor” is a way to recognize the most
influential individuals supporting some of the hardest working men and women in
our city.
Their leadership has never been more important, as union essential workers
helped keep the city running during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, when
most of the Five Boroughs shut down and stayed home as the deadly virus
raged.
The event will pay homage to union presidents, business managers and
union board members whose stewardship has served to improve the lives and
livelihoods of the men and women they represent.
Prominent leaders in the health care, political, education, transit, law
enforcement, emergency services, construction, building management and legal
communities who work closely with organized labor in New York will also be
honored at the “Leaders of Labor” event.
Past events have brought together these leaders with some of the most
influential elected officials in the city, such as Brooklyn Borough President and
current mayoral candidate Eric Adams, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.,
Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, Queens District Attorney Melinda
Katz, Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, state Senator Diane Savino and more.
In addition to being recognized at the “Leaders of Labor” event, the honorees
will receive a trophy and an entry in the event journal. They’ll also have the
opportunity to connect with other leaders and tell their stories during the special
VIP hour immediately preceding the event.
Schneps Media, powered by amNewYork Metro, the Queens Courier, the
Brooklyn Courier, the Bronx Times and the Long Island Press, is looking to our
community for nominations of those deserving acknowledgement for their
dedication and commitment. Please email your nominations to
DMattone@SchnepsMedia.com or call 917-272-4213.
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