Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg today announced that a tentative contract settlement has been reached on a collective bargaining agreement between New York City and EMS Local 2507 EMTs/Paramedics and Local 3621 Lieutenants/Captains.  The agreement includes a more than 8% wage increase, new longevity differentials, and a modified salary structure for EMTs and Paramedics newly hired or promoted on or after April 1, 2006.  The agreement is funded in part through productivity enhancements and other measurable savings consistent with the parameters of this round of bargaining.  The agreement covers employees in the titles of EMT, Paramedic, Lieutenant and Captain and covers the 48-month period from July 1, 2002 through June 30, 2006

"New York City's EMTs, Paramedics and their supervisors are the first line in assisting sick New Yorkers," Mayor Bloomberg said.  "The agreement reached today will allow the City to compensate these employees for their invaluable efforts in continuing to provide the highest level of emergency medical care to the citizens and visitors to New York City.  In arriving at this settlement, the City has applied the basic terms of the financial agreement reached with the other civilian unions and has coupled the City's commitment to attain fiscally prudent settlements with the unions' aim to achieve fair treatment and compensation for their members." 

The principal features of the Agreement include:

• $1,000 lump sum cash payment
• 3% effective July 1, 2003
• 2%, compounded, effective July 1, 2004
• 3%, compounded, effective July 1, 2005

The following productivity and operational improvements have been agreed to:

For EMTs and Paramedics newly hired or promoted on or after April 1, 2006, a modified salary schedule will apply, as follows:

• The salary schedule for new hires to the position of EMT will be:

  Hiring $27,295
  Step I $28,840
  Step II $29,355
  Step III $33,990
  Step IV $39,179

• The salary schedule for new hires and promotees to the position of Paramedic will be:

  Hiring $37,346
  Step I $41,139
  Step II $42,818
  Step III $47,233
  Step IV $50,501

• Longevity: Effective April 1, 2006, all employees will receive the following:

  Completion of 7 years = $2,070 per annum
  Completion of 15 years = $2,670 per annum
  Completion of 20 years = $3,270 per annum

• Annual Leave Accrual: Effective April 1, 2006, the parties have agreed to modify the annual leave accrual schedule for all employees in the following manner:

  15 days 0-5 Years
  20 days 6-12 Years
  25 days 13-20 Years
  27 days > 20 Years

• Eliminate 15-Year City Service Longevity Increment: Effective April 1, 2006, Employees with fewer than 15 years of City service will no longer be eligible for the $800 Longevity Increment upon attaining 15 years of City service.

• Five Year Recertification Program: The parties will jointly support legislation that will enable the FDNY to create a five-year certification program for EMTs and Paramedics. If necessary, the parties agree to bargain over equivalent alternative savings.

• Labor-Management Committee: The parties agree to discuss issues regarding Paramedic Seniority, one Paramedic and one EMT per Ambulance and an EMS Mentor Program.

• Pending Litigation: In addition, the Union agrees to withdraw or discontinue pending litigation involving several cases/or actions.

"I would like to thank Deputy Mayor Edward Skyler, Fire Department Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta, Labor Commissioner James F. Hanley and First Deputy Commissioner Pamela S. Silverblatt and their team, and Budget Director Mark Page and his staff for their efforts in reaching this Agreement," concluded Mayor Bloomberg.