EMS Union's; How do we start one.

I am in a department where the ems personnel are not recognized to be members of the fire union. How do we go about starting our own union.

Permalink Reply by Todd D. on December 27, 2009 at 10:49am: I don't know, and I'm not a huge fan of unions. However, since you asked, I'd imagine that just about any union that you contact and ask that question would be THRILLED to explain to you exactly how to do it. Teamsters, AFSCME, IAFF, whatever.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by DAVID on December 29, 2009 at 9:48am: Don't start a union, that will destroy the EMS services. Unions were good at one time in history but now they hamper service.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Skip Kirkwood on January 2, 2010 at 10:13am: David, if you're making a statement of fact, I'd love to see your proof. If this is just your opinion, you're certainly entitled to it.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by DAVID on January 3, 2010 at 1:48pm: What about when the union want to go on strike, what happens to the emergency service. Unions cause prices to go up.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Charles Phillips on January 12, 2010 at 9:33pm: Most contracts involving EMS, Fire Service, etc have "no strike" clauses in their contracts. The obvoious advantage of unions are that there would be collective bargaining.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by jrferrell0120 on December 29, 2009 at 11:39pm: First a couple of questions: Do you work for a city service or private service? Is you local FD a member of the IAFF?
If you are a city service, you can join the IAFF through the local FD, and then no matter what they say the city has to accept you. If you are a private service, you might contact the IAEP (www.iaep.org) and see what the steps are to join them, and where they can help. Either way be ready for a fight (I know from first hand experience). Really consider why you want or need a union. Is it a grievance that can not be talked out with your supervisors? Have you tried, and are left with no other recourse? Usually when there is open dialog, and agreements can be reached, then there is no need for a union. After talks break down then is when it is needed. The service I was with at that time had really no other choice to either get into a union or continue on a downward spiral. We joined the IAFF Through our local FD and I was terminated as one of the main instigators. Yes, I eventually settled a lawsuit 4 years later, and every one still there is reaping the benefits, but I was SOL and had to move on. Think long and hard about it.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by AJ on December 30, 2009 at 12:27pm: We just kind of went through this process. We're currently part of the IAFF. The IAFF doesn't really have the expertise or the interest of EMS. We contacted NEMSA and their lawyers and stewards were obviously very familiar with the process. I think we all know that unions have a negative side to them, but if you are at the point where you know you need a union then you should look into NEMSA. Honestly the only experience I've had with them has been recently in our attempt to vote them in (we approached them and they seem to be on top of things). NEMSA is currently the only EMS union, where the others mentioned have parent companies that are not EMS. Currently we are waiting to hear from the NLRB because the IAFF has contested our vote. You can read it here: http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2009/dec/17/breakup-union-delayed/
Anyway, it's worth checking out, at least to cover your bases.
http://www.nemsausa.org/
It was actually a pretty effortless process, the union did most of the work.
Hope that helps. Good Luck!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Linda Oldham on January 3, 2010 at 1:36pm: AJ: I received your message concerning Rape counseling. I am probably going to have to take a three semester bridge from Paramedic to RN to do this. Then, I could be a SANE or SART team member. I am going to talk to a counselor at PJc this week. I will let you know more when I find out.
Also, the union. Yes, TEAMSTERS. i worked as a jail medic in Indiana. ALL one needs to do is to get the appropriate number of membership cards signed, agree to have the union fee deducted from your paycheck, and you are in. The union is great for things like clothing allowances, time off and justifiable excuses for being off sick.
Our business agent also helped us get a pay raise. In some instances, you can also buy medical insurance from the union. We had our insurance from the county, so we did not have to this. I live in Alabama now and most of the people down here are terrified of a union.
I'll get back to you when I talk to the people at PJC. Linda; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Joe P. on December 30, 2009 at 6:31pm: For anyone who's thinking about IAFF, take a good hard look at how the IAFF screwed over the Metropolitan Ambulance Services Trust (MAST) in Kansas City. Yea, the IAFF sold them out to make sure that, in the long run, fire fighters have jobs.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Dave Leach on January 3, 2010 at 1:15am: Point of fact - if your service is a private non profit a union will destroy it, if you are a taxed based service then it may be of some help to you. That would depend on if you believe you are mismanaged etc....

Most folks that work for a tax based entity have good benefits and pay, so the question at hand is why YOU think union protection is needed.

Skip I would go through the angst of putting together a bibliography for you, I hope you get where I was going here, reimbursements versus tax subsidies etc......

Dave; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Carlos Osorio on January 8, 2010 at 5:46pm: National EMS Association "NEMSA" is a EMS only union for EMS workers. For more information go to www.nemsausa.org; ▶ Reply to This