Local R12-30 Members’ Fight Over Safety Concerns Wins New Policy
August 9, 2010
EMS professionals with Rural Metro of Salem, Oregon, members of Local R12-30, recently expressed their outrage over management’s response to safety concerns voiced by their fellow coworkers. Their outspoken response to this issue will result in the formation of a new policy dealing with fatigue.
On Friday, July 23, 2010, a supervisor contacted an ambulance crew notifying them of an “out of town transfer” from Salem Hospital to a hospital in Portland. On average, these calls take approximately three hours to complete, and the ambulance crew was coming to the end of their 24-hour shift. The crew immediately brought up concerns about their ability to transfer the patient safely due to fatigue, and the supervisor assigned the transfer to another ambulance. Both members were subsequently disciplined for this incident.
Upon learning of the pending discipline, Local 30 President Daniel Brown immediately began working with his fellow executive board officers and IAEP Communications Officer Philip Petit on a response to management’s reaction to these safety concerns.
“As emergency care providers, we hold our safety as well as the safety of the public and our fellow EMS agencies in the utmost regard,” said Brown. “If our legitimate safety concerns are not taken seriously, then how can anyone be safe?”
After learning of the media campaign Local 30 had planned to alert the public of the dangers of Rural Metro’s policy, management ultimately decided to rescind the discipline and has agreed to prepare a new fatigue policy for inclusion in the local’s collective bargaining agreement.
“Our members are very pleased with management’s reconsideration regarding these concerns,” said Brown. “Not only is this a win for the members involved, but it is also a huge victory for every Local 30 member and for the safety of our patients.”