New York’s most influential union leaders
New York City’s emergency medical technicians and paramedics are among the first responders that assist many New Yorkers in need of medical assistance, but they are not paid equally with other first responders. Oren Barzilay wants to change this. As the EMT union negotiates with Mayor Eric Adams, Barzilay has made pay parity the union’s top priority and has gained support from the New York City Council. Barzilay also wants to address a rise in attacks on paramedics and EMTs in the city, saying the on-the-job risks are decreasing morale.