Local 1014 has received numerous calls from the membership questioning the contents of EA-286, “EMS UPDATE 2006 MAKE-UPS AND DE-ACCREDITATION.” 

The Department makes repeated references to their intent to de-accreditate and withhold the paramedic bonus from any post-position personnel who fail to complete the course by June 30, 2006, and to remove those personnel from their paramedic assignments.

Local 1014 realizes that there was insufficient notice and other hiccups in this process that precluded some of our members from obtaining the training as mandated.  First and foremost was the failure of the Department to allow ALL personnel to go to the class on duty.  The Battalion Chiefs had the ability to approve a variety of staffing methods, including recalls, that would and should have allowed all personnel to attend on duty.  However, many Battalions did not allow on-duty attendance, creating a disparate policy. 

Local 1014 strongly encourages all members to complete the training by June 30, 2006, but will adamantly oppose any and all attempts by the Department to penalize our members by withholding their paramedic bonus.  The removal of such a bonus is a subject of a mandatory meet and confer between the Department and the Union, and such action never took place and was a unilaterally proposed action by the Department.  Local 1014 understands the Department’s predicament in adhering to DHS mandates but will not allow our members to be financially harmed due to inconsistencies in the program.

Local 1014 is prepared to file an Unfair Labor Charge against the Department if and when any of our members are told that they are losing their paramedic bonus related to these issues.  Please contact 1^st Vice President Don Lassig or Directors Dave Lopez or Dave Morse if you have any questions concerning the EMS update.