Oregon and Washington Paramedics, EMTs, Ratify First-Ever Teamsters Contract

The contract will covers more than 500 workers.

Photo by Kevin Hays Salem-News.com

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - More than 500 paramedics and emergency medical technicians in the Greater Portland, Oregon and Vancouver, Washington area have ratified their first-ever contract as Teamsters.

"The Teamsters are pleased that these workers are now covered by a strong contract that gives them job protection and a secure retirement future," said Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa.

The workers, both full-time and part-time, are employed by American Medical Response, Inc. They are members of Local 58 in Vancouver, Washington and Local 223 in Portland, Oregon.

"These workers were determined to become Teamsters and we're thrilled they are now under a contract," said John Silva, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 58. "This effort was a joint one with Local 223 headed by Secretary-Treasurer Clayton Banry, and Joint Council 37 led by President Tony Andrews."

The three-year contract provides the workers with better wages, benefits and an improved workplace environment. The labor agreement was ratified by a significant majority of the members and provides many improvements, including pay increases of more than 18.5% over a three-year period, reduced employee medical insurance costs, establishment of employer seeded FSA accounts, fully paid training and overtime after 8 hours for all classifications.

Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.4 million hardworking men and women in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.

Source: International Brotherhood of Teamsters