MEDIUM
By Emily Sawaked
Almost three years into Mayor Eric Adams’ administration, emergency medical service, or EMS, workers at the New York Fire Department are still waiting for the mayor to fulfill his promise of pay parity with their fellow firefighters. The wait spurred three unions representing these first responders to file a class action lawsuit against the department, alleging discrimination.
Representing a workforce comprised mostly of women and people of color, Local 2507, Uniformed EMS Officers Union Local 3621 and the FDNY EMS Superior Officers Association argue that they are the only first responders left without a contract and that they are the lowest paid in that sector.
The Fire Department wants EMS workers to give up their uniformed status and accept classification as civilians in exchange for a raise, but the unions are pushing back.
“Civilians get to be home on holidays. When it snows, the civilians get to stay home. When there’s a power outage, the civilians get to stay home,” said an EMS officer who requested anonymity for fear of retaliation. “We have to be out in force for all of those things,” he added.
Pay increases for civilian workers are lower than what uniformed personnel receive. The last contract for EMS workers expired in 2022, and Adams’ shows of support for EMS have not translated into a new agreement.
“We’re not asking for anything more than any of them,” Local 3621 President Vincent Variale said about other first responders who have managed to successfully negotiate new contracts.