Northern California EMS Workers Score Organizing Win

by Erick Sanchez  |  August 06, 2012

OAKLAND – EMS workers employed by Rural/Metro of Northern California voted overwhelmingly Wednesday to join their brothers and sisters within AFSCME Local 4911, United EMS Workers.

They won the vote by a 2-to-1 margin, joining the sisters and brothers working at Rural/Metro’s 911 operation in Santa Clara County.

“By joining United EMS Workers/AFSCME Local 4911, we’re bringing dignity to EMS in the Bay Area,” said new member Chris Barney.

EMS workers provide a vital service that keeps their communities safe, and now they will take their seat at the bargaining table and move forward with their first union contract.

“With this victory, we create a partnership that benefits our livelihoods as well as benefits Rural/Metro,” said Phil Jones, an EMS worker at Rural/Metro Northern California.

Soon these workers will elect their own bargaining committee to be their representatives at the table with management, and will also elect their own stewards.

“It’s time, now more than ever, to stand together and have our voices heard,” said Cassie Falletta, an EMT at Rural/Metro Northern California.

Earlier this year, the Rural/Metro EMS professionals in Santa Clara County, as well as the Medic Ambulance EMS workers in Solano County, voted decisively to build their own local with AFSCME. Now, these EMS workers at Rural/Metro of Northern California – including paramedics, emergency medical technicians, nurses, fleet techs and vehicle supply techs – are part of the same national union that represents over 20,000 EMS professionals.

This week’s vote marked another milestone for EMS workers nationwide, and AFSCME will continue working to get more EMS workers the voice and recognition they deserve.