fwmedic

Hey everyone, kinda new here. We just voted NEMSA in as our representation in Ft. Wayne, IN. It was not a landslide victory (49-40) and it is by no means a done deal. AMR has fought this tooth and nail. First, they waged a very brutal anti-union campaign even going as far as to fire the director of operations because it was determined he was the reason people wanted a union to begin with. Next they filed multiple objections with NLRB, which they lost, and now it appears they will be filing an appeal with DC. Now I want to make this clear, I'm not pro or anti union. Other than the normal AMR BS that seems to be the norm everywhere, this is a fairly descent operation. We are a PUM governed by an ambulance authority. There contract is very specific and they are monitored closely and that makes things here better than most AMR operations, but one does have to wonder why AMR, who has several union operations across the country, would spend this much time and money to fight NEMSA and try to keep them out of Ft. Wayne? 1. Are they scared of NEMSA? 2. Is NEMSA not the organization they appear to be and AMR is looking out for the best interest of it's employees? Well, I have worked here long enough to know that AMR is a for-profit business and ultimately AMR is looking out for #1! They did remove the director operations but if they would have listened to the numerous complaints filed by both the medics and management, this would have never been an issue in the first place. So I believe that option 2 is not the case. NEMSA was started by AMR employees that know how AMR works and I believe that scares them! A union is representation only! They cannot guarantee anything. Your job is not anymore secure being union than it is without one. The only guarantee you get is a contract that both you and the employer goes by, a playbook more or less. It really doesn't matter which union you belong to but there are benefits of having a union that represents ems personnel only. The biggest advantage is they understand your job. Police have the PBA. Firefighters have the IAFF. So it does make sense that ems has it's own as well. Think about it, does a machinist union really understand your job well enough to represent you and your best interests? Maybe, maybe not, but other ems professionals do understand and that could take you a lot further during contract negotiations or other issues.

That's absolutely correct on the driving. The system is known as fail safe it is capable of recording just about everything that is happening with the ambulance. Some operations (not ours) even have cameras and microphones in the cab and pt compartment to record what's going on in the event of an investigation such as a traffic accident. AMR holds probably one of the most stringent driving policies I've seen. In our region you must maintain a certain driving level, if you fall below two months in a row you are subject to discipline up to and including discharge. You must come to a complete stop at all traffic signals and stop signs even in emergency operations! You may only proceed when all other traffic has stopped for you. The only exception is an intersection controlled by the police and they are waiving you through. If you are caught running a red light it used to be immediate termination but the policy has now been changed to 15 days off for both you and your partner. That includes at fault accidents, and backing without a spotter. Also if you are observed not wearing your seat belt you are also fired. No exceptions! I have seen it happen here on more than one occasion. There is also rumor going around about the possibility of GPS tracking systems being installed soon as well. As for the uniforms, they are strict here but we do not have to wear ties. I've never seen ties at other AMR operations either but that does not mean it doesn't happen. As far as the driving policies go, I won't say I disagree with the policy because I am big on safety, but I'm not sure if the punishment fits the crime.

I currently work for AMR in a pum. I really hope someone outbids them. AMR promises a lot but hardly ever acts. Response times are terrible, costs are through the roof. Our fleet is in disrepair and the ssm versus the street medics is an ongoing issue here that management won't even touch. We have been complaining about these things for years without any change just a lot of hollow promises. That is why we just voted in a union, which AMR fought tooth and nail. The contract is up in a couple of years and I don't see them staying.