“It Is Disgraceful”: FDNY EMS Union Slams Delay in Worker Reinstatements
Outgoing mayor Eric Adams offered City workers fired under the 2021 vaccine mandate reinstatement, but required rule change delays and radio silence from City agencies has left workers hanging.
FIRSTHAND MEDIA
By Aimee | January 12, 2026
FDNY EMS Local 2507 President Oren Barzilay released a statement today on behalf of the union on the ongoing delay in reinstating City workers who were fired under the 2021 COVID-19 vaccine mandate:
“It is disgraceful that the dedicated and hardworking first responders and other municipal workers cannot yet resume their careers, following the total repeal of New York City’s COVID vaccine mandate. Despite promises of reinstatement from the mayor’s office before the end of 2025, people were duped into believing the right thing was being done by city government. Once more, the bureaucracy is disregarding the experience of this group of workers, toying with their ability to feed their families and protect the public. Reinstatement for these workers must be prioritized, and we hope our new mayor does the legal and humane thing and letting these city workers return to their jobs.”
Local 2507 represents uniformed EMTs, paramedics, and fire inspectors employed by the New York City Fire Department (FDNY).
Outgoing NYC mayor Eric Adams announced the reinstatement offer the day after Election Day, setting a December 5, 2025 deadline for former City employees to contact their former agencies to request reinstatement.
A rule change is required to reinstate former competitive and labor class NYC public sector employees, including EMS workers. While the rule amendment was put forward by the NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) under the Adams administration in November, it was not considered for approval as expected at the December meeting of the New York State Civil Service Commission.
The schedule for the Commission’s January meeting this Wednesday also does not include the rule amendment. The Commission meets monthly.