Austin Medics Give Up Raises

[Dustdevil]

You Toronto and BC guys better not let your bosses see this!

http://www.news8austin.com/content/your_ne...asp?ArID=247059

Austin paramedics give up raises to save city money

7/20/2009 4:59 PM

By: News 8 Austin Staff

Because of a move by unionized Austin Emergency Medical Services paramedics, the City of Austin will have about $800,000 more to add to the city budget.

Over the weekend 88 percent of paramedics, who are members of the Austin-Travis County EMS union, voted to give up their raises.

The 2.75 percent raise was part of the contract the city had with union members.

In all, the city should save $750,000. In return, union members will get a 3 percent raise in 2011 and 2012.

The Austin Police Department's union is also voting on whether they'll give up their raises. The results are expected to be announced Wednesday.

[tniuqs]

Well interesting that they would give up a raise in one year and then accept a 3 % in the next 2 years, sounds like a deal has been made behind closed doors

There is very little information as to the reasoning for this maybe they are avoiding cut backs in staffing or the City of Austin are using that as a threat, as with the sweep of a wand they could be contracting the EMS services out to a third party, hence LOWERING the wages of the EMS providers that "could" be rehired (I bet its more complex than what the local Austin rag is saying)

Fortunatly under legislation this could not happen in ONT or BC ... although my bet is the governments would like to try that based on budget only not brains for the future of Pre Hospital Care Medicine, just try to ignore the mandate of the voters because bottom line in Public delivery of health care system this is where the buck stops the Voters.

The situation with "essential services legislation" is a horse of a completely different colour north of the boarder and its not just about money its about parody and recognition with other essential services (in BC) where there is now a serious lack of providers and improving standards in delivery of care is a huge factor as well (look to the links) or pushing them over the edge in mandatory OT ... look to the real moneys/ budget in BC they are paying through the nose with the huge volume of OT, so just who is thinking here ... no one !

SETTLE it in good faith... will cost less in the long run it always does, as full fledged strikes cost everyone and don't believe for a minute that CUPE in BC will not go that far with the Olympics at stake and the World watching "Canadian Health Care System in Kaos"

Besides BCAS as the operator and the licencing board are one in the same ... I call fowl!

The fact that the "bosses" here are provincial dictators and are not purely municipal funded, Dust your comparing grapes to cherries and your dislike of union's is clouding your judgement. One has to work within the confines of any system and Texas is a long way from BC or TO, in mind, spirit and level of education and heck you know yourself the vast difference between the Ontario PCP and Texas EMT-B.

Try this link, positive education on a bit more grandiose scale than the local rags ps (D. Wilton is a mover and shaker when it comes to organizing EMS in Our Nations Capital)

http://www.ottawaparamedics.ca/admin/news/...yChrisJones.pdf

Now for your enjoyment the AB system and recently "restructured" under more essential service legislation, the 3 ways of delivery of service (talk about confused) and despite the assurances of no degradation of care that is exactly what is occurring, loss of ALS care and Canadian trained MDs in the rural communities .... Heads WILL roll.

One member of Provincial Conservative Caucus just may come the dark side after making a stand on health care issues and getting booted out of inner circle 'jerk" and now AB will follow is my dream ... I dare to dream, yes, still a united front for Paramedics nation wide.

BTW Are the Nurses in Austin also not receiving a raise to help out with the downturn with the "economy" ... I bet friggen not !

I sure hope Austin Paramedics are happy with there 12 dollar an hour job, besides and in the news "fluff" it does not mention if they are restricted to E calls or transfers ... nice try though

cheers

[Dustdevil]

I wasn't comparing anyone to anything. Just pointing out an example of an EMS union that just scored a major PR coup, and got what they wanted at the same time. Take a lesson. Or not.

[tniuqs]

A 6 % wage increase over 3 years is a win ? Hells Bells that is not even the cost of living increase here over a 3 year period ... from the information provided I think their union sold them out if they returned a 2.75 % this year AND under a already signed contract agreement too, WHY?

Besides if one does the math loosing 2.75 in the first year and they loose out down the road with the compounding the hourly wage, I would do the math but I have no idea what Austin City pays.

Frankly, I can't see this as any "lesson" at all but not knowing ALL the details that were on the table during the bargaining talks, I bet there is way details more NOT being disclosed, perhaps not exploring the 3rd party private Operators for bids ? I dunno ...

I do know that in BCAS and in TO the "employer" is NOT bargaining in good faith and developing legislation / dictating the rules of engagement to change only in their favor with an absolute disregard for the welfare of the people that they "supposedly" serve.

Question ... Why do we not compare ourselves with RNs as opposed to FF or Police anyway ... I know thats not what CUPE in BC is asking for but realistically our jobs are far more involved with Health Care than with FF or LEOs ... I guess it depends on the way one looks at the mirage.

I do know one thing that the RNs here are very militant and would go balistic if there union "gave up" their raise.

cheers

[AnthonyM83]

A 6 % wage increase over 3 years is a win ? Hells Bells that is not even the cost of living increase here over a 3 year period

What's the usual raise most companies get over 3 years?

[tniuqs]

What's the usual raise most companies get over 3 years?

The last settlement by Calgary Paramedics (before becoming provincial) was 12 % over 3 years ... they took a strike vote and it went to binding arbartation but in AB with the Health Sciences Association "dictated by the government" its all up in the air for the rest of our province ... if one looks and goggles LOTS other raises for EMS across Canada are very different, but again we are just talking money here as many times "shifts types" "OT rates" Accomodations and a myriad of other factors are included in Labour Negotiations.

Catch this ... last time I was in Revelstoke BC ... the ambulance did not have a freaking "hall" they were working out of a Hotel .... true story !

When we are talking cross border, different currency and economic structure's hard to put a finger on a "usual raises" query.

cheers

Here is a blurb about the land down under ... found on a google search

AUSTRALIA

Today has been set as the day on which Fair Work Australia will determine whether or not the EMS job action in Victoria can continue. The Age (July 21) said Ambulance Victoria (AV) has asked the body to quash a series of rotating strikes providers intend to begin across the state Wednesday. According to the newspaper, 49 out of 400 scheduled shifts will be withdrawn. Along with concerns over pay, a primary issue in the dispute involves break time between works shifts;the EMS union wants 10 hours allotted, while AV only allows for 8. Victorian Premier John Brumby, meanwhile, appears to have already lost patience with the job action. Brumby said without an immediate resolution to the job action, he may institute compulsory arbitration.

Edited July 21, 2009 by tniuqs

[spenac]

If the union had not accepted this jobs would have been lost. I would rather have my job than go hungry. In Texas the union is actually powerless as we are a right to work state. Plus even w/o the raise Austin is one of the higher paying non fire services.

One reason I will not join a union is I have seen company's close because the unions refused to do what was needed to keep the place open. So I will take no pay raise if it keeps me putting food on the table.

[p3medic]

Our union agreed to a one year wage freeze to save members jobs. If we had not agreed to it several would have lost there jobs, not exactly "united". So far, no jobs have been cut, hopefully next fiscal year is a bit better. Time shall tell.

[crotchitymedic1986]

For gods sake wake up and smell the coffee. This country is facing the toughest economic situation since the Great Depression, and there are still folks out there who are demanding raises. And Unions wonder why they so often fail ? Those folks should be greatful that they have a full-time job with benefits, and should be offerring to take cuts in pay, not payraises. But all you folks keep paying those public safety union dues, the union will do the same thing to you that they did to the automotive and manufacturing industry in this country.

[tniuqs]

For gods sake wake up and smell the coffee. This country is facing the toughest economic situation since the Great Depression, and there are still folks out there who are demanding raises. And Unions wonder why they so often fail ? Those folks should be greatful that they have a full-time job with benefits, and should be offerring to take cuts in pay, not payraises. But all you folks keep paying those public safety union dues, the union will do the same thing to you that they did to the automotive and manufacturing industry in this country.

cough splutter blame unions for the economy your understanding of world economics is fraught with a lack real information, the unions did not cause an economic downturn, try world oil prices first and who controls that, the multinational groups, so try OPEC to start with maybe the Arabs will buy you that new house that is owed to you ... sheesh go away, whitey owes your people and unions destroy the economy ? Obviously you crotch have not followed anything that is going on north of your border nor across the pond, quite typical and now your blaming the unions and what they did to the Auto industry ... you should really wake up and smell the "tims" with the executives of the auto industry giving themselves huge, no huge bonus's ... besides the fact that bailing out large industry is NOT capitalism either, AN EPIC FAIL and any economists will tell you downsizing only increases profit margin for the stakeholders so long live stupidity! now back to crotches diversion .. just watch the response to that ..... y'all.

p3medic: Our union agreed to a one year wage freeze to save members jobs.

spenac If the union had not accepted this jobs would have been lost. I would rather have my job than go hungry. In Texas the union is actually powerless as we are a right to work state. Plus even w/o the raise Austin is one of the higher paying non fire services. One reason I will not join a union is I have seen company's close because the unions refused to do what was needed to keep the place open. So I will take no pay raise if it keeps me putting food on the table.

Ah the threat of job loss is the best motivator, companies close the doors is because its not profitable when employees want to be paid what their worth, understand that all employees no matter what job are exploited to a certain degree ... thats just the way the cookie crumbles ... its a matter of varying degrees is all.

IN public delivery of services its called managing costs, and BCAS is blowing it BAD.

But Help me out here first splenac .. please explain "right to work" concept as opposed to the "right not to work" dust tried to get it into my socialist head and it just did not make sense to me, everyone has the right to work or the right to starve or collect food stamps/ welfare.

So the threat of layoffs IS the REAL issue here SO I guessed right a typical employer strategic move and no mention of job loss threats in the news brief at ALL, no any mention of transperancy with company profits ? sad really.

So riddle me this: Did call volume drop ?

or did the rates to the patients drop ?

or perhaps subsidies from the community drop to deliver services of your services ?

I bet $$$ that did not happen ! Hell even if they did layoff some the companies still need staff to deliver the services (and no matter what business it is) YOU have ALL lost in the long run and sold out your fellow workers based on compound wages (long term) and then wonder why you are not treated as professionals because your not organised and besides there is a huge difference in standing up for fair pay and living in fear of loosing your job as these statements speak clearly that you have zero job security in the first place.

AGAIN (unlike private delivery of services in the US) I feel obligated to inform y'all again that the employer's here in TO and in BC ARE THE FREAKING GOVERNMENT and not a private for profit operation and that in most cases membership in a union is MANDATED anyway or you can't work or be licenced.

And Yes this IS on topic .. Dust threw it out there with initial post and he and I love to banter back and forth and he knows statements below will just to get me going .... on a tirade ...

ie You Toronto and BC guys better not let your bosses see this!

Hey Dust BCAS CUPE members have adopted the "break the Uniform code and wear a "T" shirt too ... bah whaa ha ha !

cheers.

Edited July 21, 2009 by tniuqs