Fla. County Ratifies Contract with EMS Union

Feb. 23--MANATEE -- Manatee County Emergency Medical Services workers officially have a new three-year labor agreement with Manatee County government.

For fiscal year 2016, the estimated cost for adjustments in hourly wages as a result of the new agreement is $442,358, which includes $284,910 to "adjust employee hourly wages for those who are currently below the new minimum hourly wage rate of the revised pay scale and $157,448 as the current year's pay for performance amount," according to agenda materials.

The agreement is effective starting the next payroll period, according to Nick Azzara, the county's spokesman.

Ken Skaggs, national representative for International Association of EMTs and Paramedics, said Tuesday union members are pleased with the contract.

"We are very excited to work with the county and their local managers with the implementation of this contract," Skaggs said. "We are very much hoping we can work together on any upcoming projects that they are planning on implementing."

In early January, the two parties reached an agreement on a contract. The agreement came after the union, which had been negotiating with the county since 2013, protested outside the county administrative building in November over the failed attempt to reach an agreement. The protesters cited low wages, forced overtime and other workplace issues. More than 30 Manatee County EMS paramedics and their families participated in the protest.

During Tuesday's meeting, the county commission voted to ratify the agreement, which was ratified by the union earlier this month.

The commission's vote in favor of the collective bargaining agreement between the county and IAEP Local 747, the Manatee County union, was the final action required before the agreement could go into effect.

"It's great that the county attorney's Office and the union were able to come to an agreement and make a seamless delivery of care to citizens of Manatee County," Commissioner Robin DiSabatino said.

Compensation over the next two years will "include increases as approved for the general workforce, but will also include a catchup amount for pay for performance which was not accepted by the bargaining unit for FY2014 (to be paid in FY2017) and FY2015 (to be paid in FY2018)," according to agenda materials.

Claire Aronson, Manatee County reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7024. Follow her on Twitter@Claire_Aronson.

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