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.