Rural Metro Teamsters on Life Support

[UnionReview]

Hello Friends,

If there was a freak act of nature - and we were injured in the upstate NY area of Buffalo, we'd hope and pray an EMT would be sent to our aid. When the worker arrived at the scene, they'd quickly assess our injuries, begin medical assistance, and within heartbeats, most likely, drive like professional NASCAR speed demons to the nearest hospital. In our recovery and healing, at some point, we will remember the men and women who came to our rescue, who saved our lives. We will realize, most likely, that if it were not for these brave EMT workers who are driven to save lives in their community, we be SOL.

So far so good, but what if you were told these very rapid responding EMTs upstate NY are making sub-standard wages, working without a contract, and are finding it more than difficult to cover their basic overhead? What if you were told that their counterparts in neighboring NY areas are making more than them -- & with a contract? What if there was no reason for the ambulance company, Rural Metro, to hold out on the workers' wages -- other than the obvioius (increase of their own bottom line?)

If you are anything like me, you'd be pissed off enough to TAKE ACTION.
Equally important to taking action in the traditonal -send of a letter- way; I ask for your assistance in asking others to do the same.

In Solidarity,
-Richard/ IBT

[HBF]

Done Brother.
I hope all that read this will take the minute and a half that it takes to help our Brothers and Sisters in there battle.

[egambino]

I sent mine, and encourage everyone to take the time to do so. These people risk all to save lives...this is the VERY least we can do!

[UnionReview]

Yesterday, Tuesday the 18th, we posted the following press release to the Teamster site. I thought to post it up here as well as a follow up to the story. I don't have the numbers in front of me, but the amount of people who took action in solidarity with Rural Metro workers was overwhelming; keep it going!

Solidarity,
-Richard /IBT

Community, Labor Organizations Rally for Buffalo EMTs, Paramedics
Rural/Metro Employees Working Without a Contract

November 18, 2008

(Buffalo, N.Y.) -- Representatives from the Buffalo community and labor organizations joined Teamsters Local 375 today to show support for emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics employed by Rural/Metro.

The community and labor leaders called on Rural/Metro to offer higher wages that are commensurate with the life-saving work emergency responders perform year-round. The company and the Teamsters are returning to the bargaining table on Wednesday, Nov. 19.

Attending the news conference were: Joseph Foley, President of Buffalo Professional Firefighters Local 282; Michael Hoffert, President of the Buffalo Central Labor Council; Angelo Vellake, President of the Western New York Area Labor Federation; Allison Duwe, Executive Director of the Coalition for Economic Justice; and other members of the western New York labor community.

The city of Buffalo and 20 surrounding communities contract with Rural/Metro for ambulance service. There are 400 Rural/Metro employees who have been working without a contract since June and are paid less on average than emergency medical personnel in cities like Albany, Rochester and Syracuse.

After the news conference, Rural/Metro employees delivered over 2,000 signed petitions and letters of support to Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown. Mayor Brown then met with several EMTs and their Teamster representatives to discuss their concerns.

“We call on Mayor Brown to tell Rural/Metro of the importance of reaching an agreement with the Teamsters that includes salaries that are consistent with the existing labor market in western New York,” Hoffert said. “As an All-American City, Buffalo should not be left with a second-class wage scale for its emergency responders.”

The International Brotherhood of Teamsters was founded in 1903 and represents more than 1.4 million hardworking men and women in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.

[Sherri Henry]

DONE!

.....and sent to all I know to encourage the same.

Your an Inspiration Richard.

Always in Solidarity,