NEW HAVEN – Local paramedics and EMTs says they are looking for their parent company to send them a lifeline.
New Haven-based American Medical Response employees rallied on the Green Tuesday afternoon in the hopes that AMR will address safety concerns that first responders say affect them and the patients they serve.
“We’re really here to say, AMR needs to put patients over profits. They are a multi-million dollar company owned by hedge funds that is making a ton of profit off the patients in the community of New Haven. It’s time for them to do the right thing and put the patients first,” said Phil Petit, International Association of EMTs and Paramedics national director.
IAEP union, Local 999, held the rally and listed the following claims: potentially hazardous working conditions at AMR stations; staffing issues that lead to paramedics and EMTs working extra-long shifts without warning; and complaints of an operations manager who is now often out of state, after his job was expanded to a regional role.
“We thought they had to make the public aware of these safety concerns and let them know that we’re trying to do the best we can and provide the best quality service to them. We wanted to let them know that our employer doesn’t value the patients. You and I, we’re just dollar signs to them,” Petit said.
AMR Regional Director Chuck Babson said in a statement that the rally is taking place in the context of a union contract negotiation. Babson wrote that twice in recent months, AMR and union officials have agreed on “generous” pay and benefit packages but were rejected by union members. They will continue to negotiate in the hopes of reaching an agreement soon, he wrote.
“Safety is a top priority, for our staff and the communities they serve. All of our ambulances are fully equipped and have well- trained crews to respond to 911 calls. Our local managers are experienced and have deep roots in the community,” Babson wrote. “We will continue our dedicated service to the New Haven community, and hope the union will work with us in good faith to come to a swift agreement on a contract that will ensure we keep patient care our top priority.”
Michael Montanaro, president of Local 999 and 21-year veteran, said contract negotiations with AMR have hit a stalemate and the longer hours have “overwhelmed” local first responders. AMR first responders handle a high call volume, he said, responding to between 85,000 and 100,000 calls each year.
“We’ve gone to them, we’ve tried to come up with solutions but there’s no rectification,” he said.
“It is more stress on employees, which leads to patient safety being jeopardized,” said Jim Farley, national executive vice president for IAEP.
Reach Ryan Flynn at 203-680-9962.
