AMR strike

[VegasVic]

I heard that AMR of Las Vegas is planning to strike the day after Thanksgiving.

Their current contract has expired as of 10/31/08 with SEUI local #1107. AMR Las Vegas is trying to use another labor organization, the International Association of EMT's and Paramedics (IEAP) Local#5000, to serve as the bargaining representative.

Can they even do that?

By striking, doesn't that open the door for another agency to come in and provide EMS transportation? i.e. Medic West (already in the Valley) or the local fire departments, all witch have transport capabilities.

[BCLepore]

AMR can strike. As firefighters we cannot. Imagine the fuel this would add to the fire based EMS in rural areas. This would be a BAD move for AMR. Not to mention, this would have a HUGE impact on patient care....

[GirlMedic03]

I'm sure that there is a better way to make their voices heard than to do such a thing that would affect emergency services. Our duty is to take care of the people we serve.

Hopefully it is only done by off-duty personnel.

[TaylorMade]

AMR can strike. As firefighters we cannot. Imagine the fuel this would add to the fire based EMS in rural areas. This would be a BAD move for AMR. Not to mention, this would have a HUGE impact on patient care....

Chief,

I'm sure that you possess the same sentiment; there were negotiations in years past that were frustrating enough to make us WISH we could. ;)

Bottom line is that we regard our services to our community in a very different light than the privatized first-responder. Although their actions of a strike are detrimental to service delivery in your area VegasVic, in their eyes, the selflessness of a struggling ambulance jockey without a contract can only go so far.

We often work without settled contracts for months or weeks. Then we move forward.

[RedBloodedAmerican]

From what I remember, AMR will send supervisors from across the country to fill the void left by striking employees... AMR strikes fairly often, maybe they should look into that...