VICTORY!!!!! Congratulations NEMSA Hartford EMS Pros!

Congratulations Greater Hartford EMS Professionals!  You have clearly spoken and you are the winners!  Your workforce voted NEMSA today as your labor representative.  The vote was 86 NEMSA, 76 SEIU 1199.  

Now is a time for healing after a long and bruising union battle.  EMS Professionals around the USA are celebrating and NEMSA staff is ready to hit the ground running.  But for everyone in Greater Hartford, it is time to come together and remember that even long before NEMSA vs. SEIU 1199, your workforce was strong and unified...  a change in representation does not change your unity.

Thank You to everyone who voted, be it for or against NEMSA. Your participation matters! With the results decided, NEMSA awaits the official certification from the National Labor Relations Board.  At that point, NEMSA will be your official bargaining representative.

NEMSA is working hard for you and coming in the next two weeks will be busy preparing for bargaining, re-organizing your workplace into a NEMSA shop, providing professional shop steward training, etc...

Have a safe and happy Fourth of July!  Congratulations...

-as for this blog, it will remain active until certification of your unit by the NLRB. 

COLA and Paysteps... Two Raises Per Year!

NEMSA contracts reward seniority through a two raise system.  Seniority based pay steps allow members to make more money based on their years of service.  This is on top of overall raises in a contract... it also puts the power of compound math at work to benefit anyone covered under a NEMSA contract.

For Example:  A NEMSA Contract will have a cost of living increase (COLA) that effects everybody within a bargaining unit.  For this example, let's say the COLA is 6%.  This COLA raise happens once or more per year depending on contract terms.

However in NEMSA contracts, another raise is given on a person's anniversary date (based on date of hire).  These are "step" increases and are seniority based.  An employee steps through the pay scales gaining pay with each step.  For this example let's say that the pay scale in question has 4% increases between each step.

This gives a person 2 raises per year, for a total of 10% in one year.  But that is not all.  The power of compound math is at work here and it increases the raises as well.  We will use $10,000 for this example...

$10,000 with a 6% increase = $10,600.  $106 with a 4% increase is $11,024.  You have only gotten a 10% raise in one year but using compound math in this example, you have earned an extra $1024.  Two raises per year, your Cost Of Living Increase (COLA) and your seniority based step increase.

So now it's time for a real world example...

The NEMSA Northern California Agreement calls for a 4% COLA to be given in year one of the contract.  A person makes $50,000 per year before ratification of the contract.  In year two they receive 4.5% COLA and year 3 they receive 4% COLA.  They are on a scale with a step increase of 5%.  

Before Contract Ratification:  $50,000 per year

COLA On Contract Ratification:  $52,000 per year - $50K with 4% added

On Seniority Step Increase:  $54,600 per year - $52k with 5% added

Contract Year 2 COLA:  $57,057 - $54,600 with 4.5% added

Seniority Step Increase:  $59,909.85 - $57,057 with 5% added

Contract year 3 COLA:  $62,306.24 -  $59,909.85 with 4% added

Seniority Step Increase:  $65,421.55 - $62,306.24 with 5% added

Total Increase over 3 years:  $15,421.55 with an average 9% per year increase.  

Total Increase over 3 years without pay steps:  $6,513.60 - 50K with a 4%, 4.5%, and 4% increase.  Wow... paysteps make the difference...

So you can see the power of compound math and how paysteps work.  You earn more as a seniority bonus for every hour you work every day.  You earn more over the life of the contract.

Announcement of Contract Ratification: Northern California

Announcing The Ratification of the Northern California Contract.  NEMSA Northern California members overwhelmingly ratified the tentative agreement between NEMSA and AMR.

The contract is a 3 year contract with an average 28%-36% pay increase over the life of the agreement.  Health care premiums are fixed at a 90/10 split and FSA debit cards paid by AMR given to employees in the amount of $1000 in year 1, $750 in years 2 and 3.  Night differentials and FTO differentials are included in the contract as well as a monthly uniform cleaning allowance.

Details and the contract itself can be found at www.NEMSAUSA.org.

This is another NEMSA success story.  100% EMS representation, The Best Contracts In The USA!  

NEMSA Tentative Agreement Announcement

NEMSA is proud to announce a tentative agreement between NEMSA and Oak Valley Hospital District.  EMS Professionals at Oak Valley are going to be voting on the tentative agreement in about a week.

The details of the tentative agreement are as follows:

Wages are set to increase 20% across the board over the life of the agreement.  This is in addition to a 5% average between pay steps.  The total increase including paysteps on a 7 paystep scale works out to 20% to 42%.  The average EMT or Paramedic will get a 9% increase per year!

A Pension plan is included in the contract with a 15% employer contribution.

Health care costs are fixed throughout the life of the agreement with employees paying NOTHING in the first year.  In the second through fourth year of the contract, health premiums are fixed per paycheck at $16.15, with dental costing $6.92 and vision costing $3.69.  

There is a 10% differential for anyone opting out of health insurance.

PTO is earned based on all hours worked, used, and taken... including while on PTO.

There are many other parts of this TA that make it special, and too many details to go into here... soon the tentative agreement will be available online at www.NEMSAUSA.org.

NEMSA negotiates the best contracts in the USA because we are 100% EMS.  We understand how to maximize benefits and extract the most from employers.  Our EMS only focus is successful and the Oak Valley Tentative Agreement is yet another example.

A New Tone....

At NEMSA, we are shocked and saddened by the negative tone that the  campaign took leading up to the first election.  Now that a runoff has been called, we have looked at things in a new light...

The union campaign between SEIU 1199 and NEMSA got ugly and at times very personal.  We can see how this could cause many people to throw up their hands and vote "no union."  So our commitment to you from now until the runoff election is to maintain a positive tone while pointing out factual information and differences between NEMSA and 1199.

The runoff election date has yet to be selected.  The NLRB is waiting out the legally required challenge period before setting a runoff date.  We expect the runoff election date to occur towards the end of the month.

So until then, we hope that you will join us as we discuss why NEMSA is different and what NEMSA can do for you...

A Runoff....

The vote happened and because the vote was split between 3 parties (NEMSA, SEIU, and No Union) a runoff election has been called by the NLRB...

This means that at an unknown date and time (soon, likely within 1-2 weeks) their will be a runoff election with only NEMSA and SEIU on the ballot...

At NEMSA, we believe we have a proven track record of success and independent observers say that NEMSA has the best EMS contracts in the country.   With NEMSA,  we offer superior aggressive representation of EMS Professionals.  With NEMSA, we offer EMS Professionals the attention and respect that they deserve...

We will spend between now and the runoff election date (will be decided by NLRB in next few days) proving that to you.

Stay tuned....

1199 last final acts of desperation

In a National Labor Relations Board pre-election conference today attended by NEMSA, 1199, and AMR; SEIU 1199 made it clear their intent to punish your workforce for choosing NEMSA.  

At the conference, when the issue of vote challenges was brought up 1199 made their position clear... they want people who do not work for AMR's votes to count, for them....  they also want people hired after the date certified for eligibility for voting by the US government...  

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that 1199 sees the writing on the wall and wants to punish you for choosing NEMSA... they will delay and obfuscate as much as possible....

That's how much 1199 appreciates you....  How much they respect you...

Voting time is here...  get out from SEIU oppression... vote NEMSA!

Campaign Fatigue...

It's called the "Dog Days" of a campaign.  Exhausted, candidates rally trying to catch every undecided voter and respond to opponents...

At NEMSA, we don't feel campaign fatigue.. rather we feel excitement.  EMS Professionals around the USA are supporting you Greater Hartford...  We are excited at the opportunity to represent you.

All that is left is to vote....  And that happens on Friday....

For anyone undecided who is reading this, rather than talking in campaign mode, here are just a few simple questions...

• Who understands EMS workers better, 1199 or NEMSA?
• Who has had more success with AMR at the negotiating table, 1199 or NEMSA?
• Who has the best EMS contracts in the USA, 1199 or NEMSA

Voting on Friday.....  See you there!

1199: Afraid To Debate NEMSA!

The debate has been talked about for weeks.  NEMSA rented the hall and sent SEIU 1199 a certified mail official debate challenge...  NEMSA wanted a debate, to allow undecided voters to hear both sides of the story...  

First 1199 claimed that they hadn't received the challenge... then they claimed that they received it late at night...  Then they just declined to debate NEMSA...

Funny thing... if you go to www.NEMSAHARTFORD.com you will find the information including the USPS tracking number.  1199 received the debate challenge on 6/9/08 at 11:11 am.  They signed for it.  They thought about it...  They ran away.

They are afraid to debate NEMSA.  We have nothing to hide.. We wanted undecided voters to have one last chance to hear both sides, under clear and fair rules...  with a neutral moderator.

What does 1199 have to hide?  Do they not have a record to stand on?  Can't they give clear reasons why people should vote for them?

So how about it 1199, you still have time.  How about a debate?

Why Settle For Second Best?

We have heard a few people ask why they should vote for NEMSA. They claim that 1199 hasn't done that bad of a job...


Good. We at NEMSA are glad that 1199 has done "OK" for some people...  

Because looking at their size, you sure don't get much of their attention... In fact, they don't even list EMS Providers on their website.   But you sure give them your cash in the form of outrageous dues.


But here is a simple question.... Can 1199 claim they won the race when they come in second, third, fourth, etc....?


NEMSA has the best EMS contracts in the country... We have come in first place in almost every race... Our contracts have things seldom found anywhere else in the USA... fair wage increases, pay steps, retro pay, protective healthcare language, high 401K employer matches, and more workplace protections than any other private EMS contract in the USA!

1199 doesn't have the experience NEMSA has in negotiating with AMR. 1199 doesn't have the contracts and history of wins that NEMSA has... 1199 for their size and resources are simply either ill equipped to negotiate with AMR or just unwilling to put in the time, research, and effort necessary to get top notch contracts.


So for those who are considering voting for 1199, NEMSA has just one question for you: Why settle for second best?

SEIU 1199 Throwing Mud!

It's an unfortunate part of human behavior... when losing a campaign, the losing side becomes desperate and begins "throwing mud."  Commonly seen in political campaigns, the mud throwing is designed so that some criticism, any criticism may "stick" to the wall.  However not knowing what will "stick", 1199 simply is throwing everything at the wall...

Mud:   NEMSA in Portland Oregon

An 18 page mailer was sent out by an individual who mysteriously gained access to the 1199 confidential mailing list about NEMSA in Oregon.  Filled full of hyperbole and half-truths, it was designed to make you think NEMSA abandoned EMS workers in Oregon.

Truth:  EMS workers in Portland/Vancouver wanted to be Teamsters.  Delegates in Portland were claiming loyalty to NEMSA while at the same time actively signature gathering to get Teamster representation.  When these delegates and workers had enough signatures,  NEMSA simply did not contest the coming Teamster campaign and instead disclaimed interest in their bargaining unit.  

Mud:  Disclaiming is rare and a sign of weakness

Disclaiming is a legal process under the NLRB that is designed when a workforce and a union wish to part ways.  Disclaiming is legal and happens more commonly than you may think.  It is an administrative procedure that seldom makes the headlines.

Truth:  SEIU disclaimed a bargaining unit in San Diego when NEMSA had gathered more than enough signatures to run a campaign against them.  SEIU and NEMSA both have used the same administrative procedure along with many other unions.

Here Is SEIU Disclaiming A Bargaining Unit

Mud:  NEMSA is structured so everyday people are forced to make decisions without training.

The structure of a union is important as it is one of the primary reasons for it's effectiveness.  Unions with poor structure are generally not successful.

Truth:  NEMSA is designed with a structure that EMPOWERS EMS workers.  Paid staff and labor attorneys support trained shop stewards.  Shop stewards also known as delegates and are the eyes and ears of any NEMSA shop.  Paid staff train and support shop stewards.  Nobody does anything alone.  NEMSA is designed as a collective and relies on the support of everyone to be successful.   Based on the superior representation NEMSA members receive and the top - notch contracts NEMSA negotiates for it's members, it is clear that NEMSA's structure breeds success.

Why SEIU 1199 Wants To Keep It's "Ambulance Drivers"

Kind of shocking, it was recently revealed by political watchdog Center For Responsive Politics that SEIU is one of the top 10 organizations in the giving of political donations. SEIU has given $25,931,093.00 to political candidates.

That's right, 26 MILLION dollars of members hard earned dues money given away. SEIU claims that they have 1,900,000 members.

So doing the math, SEIU has given $13.65 per member to politicians and political parties.

SEIU desperately wants you to vote for them. Wonder why? You are a revenue source for them at a time when they are DESPERATELY in need of your hard earned money. They need to give it to politicians, because they are trying to buy influence.

How much influence has SEIU had in the 7 years they have been in Hartford? Has EMS Legislation been passed? Has there been Federal or State legislation sponsored by SEIU? Has SEIU even addressed EMS related issues beyond your bargaining unit?

SEIU is a fundraising machine for politicians... they want you to be an unwitting dupe who continues to let them take money from you to fund their political ambitions... ambitions that have NOTHING to do with EMS.

Vote NEMSA.... Don't Let SEIU Steal Any More Of Your Money For It's Political Games.

A NEMSA Shop For Hartford

1199 is working overtime trying to convince you to ignore the clear evidence that NEMSA works. They want you to trust them while they tell you non-sensical things about NEMSA and they hope you will believe them...  Maybe they are just wearing blinders..

1199 claims that in a NEMSA shop, delegates carry all the workload. 1199 claims that NEMSA Labor Relations Representatives and staff just don't get involved.

Another 1199 Lie! What will they say next? Vote NEMSA And Your Toilet Won't Flush?

NEMSA works from the ground up and is run by it's members. But the idea that trained professional staff don't play a major role in representing you is simply absurd.

In a NEMSA shop, generally there is a ratio of 1 steward for every 10 members. This allows the employees to closely and carefully watch AMR. Most workplace problems and issues can be solved with early recognition and rapid response. This also allows NEMSA to be pro-active in addressing problems at the onset rather than after a problem has escalated into a much larger problem.

Shop Stewards are NEMSA delegates and undergo professional delegate training free of charge. From amongst the delegates a lead or chief delegate is selected. The Chief Delegate and delegates work with NEMSA staff and attorneys to aggressively enforce the contract and labor law.

NEMSA provides Labor Relations Representatives to serve it's bargaining units. These are professionals in Labor Law, organizing, contract enforcement, etc... These are paid staff who work for YOU.

In a NEMSA shop, you are eligible to run for any office, locally or nationally and to vote in national elections. NEMSA members nationwide elect members of the NEMSA Board Of Directors.

From The Bottom Up, NEMSA relies on the strength of it's members. Members are what make it successful.

NEMSA simply works... Join us and see NEMSA work for YOU.

Another Way NEMSA Is Different: Politics

One of the ways that NEMSA is different than other labor unions is how we address politics. Teamsters, IAEP, SEIU, and others act as political fundraisers and support centers for national politicians, generally even if the members don't agree or wish to support a different candidate.

This political fundraising and support scheme actually undermines the purposes unions were created for... to help workers better their lives by collectively bargaining with employers to provide a contract that guarantees wages, benefits, and working conditions for employees.

Now this is not to say that having political influence is not important. Rather it is to put into perspective how the "big tent" unions have abandoned their primary mission to represent workers in favor of playing politics.

NEMSA is a different kind of union. We for instance will NOT endorse any of the following candidates for President. Why? Because we don't play political games. Who you vote for is your business and NEMSA will not tell you how to think....

Presidential Candidate Senator John McCain
Presidential Candidate Senator Hillary Clinton
Presidential Candidate Senator Barack Obama

NEMSA does not give hardworking members dues money to politicians. NEMSA has political clout, but we get it from a different source. Rather than taking dues money and giving it to politicians like the "big tent" unions, we get involved in the community. We draw a distinction between your employer and you. As a NEMSA member, you will no longer be an AMR EMT or Paramedic. You will be a NEMSA EMT or Paramedic working at AMR.

Community involvement is a great part of NEMSA. Sponsoring Little League Teams, doing CPR classes, school supply drives, food drives, charity events. All of these types of things show your community how important you are and what special people you are.

When contracts are negotiated and AMR is getting calls from Mayors and Governors, community leaders and business owners because members of your community (some very influential) have called them, it puts additional pressure on AMR to negotiate a good contract for you.

The perfect example of this is at NEMSA Northeast. This NEMSA unit works at AMR and covers towns and communities in Mass, Maine, and New Hampshire. AMR had offered them an overall 1% pay cut during negotiations. Outraged community members, Mayors, City Councils, and Governors all got involved contacting AMR and politicians.

Senator Ted Kennedy Letter To AMR
Even US Senator Ted Kennedy got involved sending AMR a letter demanding the fair treatment of NEMSA members and a quick end to the labor dispute. After receiving complaints and concerns from the communities he represents and being contacted by NEMSA, he wrote this letter. The dispute did end quickly, with AMR offering an approximate 14% pay increase. Members ratified the contract and thanked the communities that supported them.

That's how NEMSA works. Vote for who you want this election, or any election.

NEMSA works because of our members. Community involvement is a powerful tool for bettering the lives of EMS workers.

NEMSA Wins In Montana!

EMS Professionals in Great Falls Montana voted yesterday to join NEMSA!  These EMS Pro's work for Great Falls Emergency Services and previously were non-union.

Great Falls Emergency Services pulled out all the stops in the campaign, hiring a union consultant at several hundred dollars an hour, doing mandatory private meetings with employees, even visiting some employees at home trying to convince them that staying with No Union / No Rights was the best thing for them.

Great Falls EMS Professionals knew better.  They voted in NEMSA because they saw our proven track record of results.... results in contract negotiations, results in superior representation.  

The NEMSA train continues to pick up steam as EMS Professionals from around the USA get on board.  All EMS.  100% EMS.  We understand EMS because we are EMS.

What about you Hartford, will you get on board?

It's not about what you say, It's about what you do!

SEIU 1199 is great at talking. They tell you to vote a certain way, act a certain way, be a certain way. They take large amounts of your hard earned money in dues to try to tell other people to vote a certain way, act a certain way, be a certain way.

But beyond that, what does SEIU actually say? And what do they do? What is their reputation?

Do they understand EMS? Do they know what it feels like to run 11 back to back calls without a restroom or meal break, being perpetually behind on paperwork? Do they understand what 16 hours inside a vehicle does to the human body? Can they appreciate the desire to simultaneously run and protect your patient at the same time?

So if they don't understand, how do they represent you?

You see, at NEMSA it's not about what we say... it's about what we do.... Our reputation is based on it.

We have superior EMS contracts and the absolute best representation of EMS workers in the USA. It's because we are 100% EMS. So unlike SEIU, when we have influence in a community it's not based on how much of your dues money we have spent buying politicians. It's because we fight the good fight, understand EMS and can help others to understand EMS as well.

About a year ago, NEMSA members at AMR NE walked up to the strike line. It was terrifying for the members but they knew that their communities were behind them, that NEMSA was supporting them, and so they stood at the edge, ready to strike.

Communities cried out, influential community members got involved, politicians and Fire Unions got involved. Why? Because NEMSA did not try to buy them but instead worked WITH them. NEMSA had the support of US Senator Ted Kennedy who told AMR to get back to the bargaining table. The International Association of Fire Fighters worked hand in hand with NEMSA to provide communities alternatives should a strike be necessary...

The result? AMR's last offer of a 1% pay cut turned into a 14-18% pay increase and a strike was avoided.

The communities supported NEMSA members, who were active in those communities and part of those communities.

It's not about what you say... It's about what you do...

NEMSA simply gets it done!

NEMSA Members In Northern California Currently Voting On Tentative Agreement

Here is a copy of the official Bargaining Team Statement. This was written by the Northern California Bargaining Team after the tentative agreement was reached.

 The Northern California Bargaining Unit is the largest EMS bargaining unit in the country and has about 2500 people in it. These NEMSA members are employed by AMR and cover Northern and Central California. The bargaining unit is very united and stood with the bargaining team throughout negotiations. AMR management saw a nearly completely united workforce speak with one voice about what they wanted.

EVERY CONTRACT IS UNIQUE. EVERY NEGOTIATION IS DIFFERENT. NO TWO ARE ALIKE. THIS POST IS TO SHOW YOU WHAT NEMSA CAN DO!

Negotiations and contracts are business deals, nothing more, nothing less. So the business deal worked out with AMR in this contract includes:

4% cost of living adjustment Year 1

4.5% cost of living adjustment Year 2

4.0% cost of living adjustment Year 3

Seniority step increases of an average of 4% per step. This means that as a person gains another year of seniority, they get another step increase.

How Step Increases and COLA work together:  A step increase and a COLA is like getting two raises per year.  On the anniversary date of the contract you get a cost of living adjustment.  On your anniversary (date of hire) you get another pay increase to reward your years of seniority.

Healthcare Premium Share of 90% Employer, 10% Employee

$500 per person (including family and dependents) in preventative healthcare per year free of charge!

A $1000 FSA debit card per employee in year 1 of the contract, $750 in years 2 and 3.

Family and Dependent Coverage goes to 85/15 almost immediately and 90/10 in the following year.

Vacation tops out at 6 weeks per year.

401K match $1 employee, $1 Employer up to 5%

A uniform cleaning allowance of $13 per paycheck given to employee...

and much much much more!

Northern California EMS Professionals and NEMSA members wanted to share with you what they have accomplished. Your bargaining unit may be smaller but don't let size fool you. NEMSA knows EMS because NEMSA is made up of EMS Professionals. Standing together can make a difference!

Hartford EMS Professionals deserve a union that can lift them up as professionals and has a proven track record. NEMSA is that union. Vote NEMSA!

Welcome!

Welcome to a blog set up especially for Hartford Area EMS Professionals. Your co-workers after tiring of substandard representation by SEIU 1199 went out and looked for options. They found NEMSA.

NEMSA is proud to represent the EMS Professionals in the Greater Hartford area. The NLRB election to elect NEMSA as your bargaining unit representative is June 13, 2008.

Check back frequently to this Blog as we will address workplace issues and update information on this blog. Don't forget to check out a website specifically for Hartford CT EMS workers at www.NEMSAHARTFORD.com.