TP>Hey, Tom Patierno!, Chris Nold was discussing Re: Unions with Tom
TP>Unions can help workers.  Seeing as Dr.'s have the AMA, Police have
TP>the  FOP, and fire fighters have IAFF, etc., it can only be a matter
TP>of time before
TP>Unions come to EMS.t
A few points Tom, while I try to avoid making libelous statements!  
First, the FOP, in most places will not act as an union. However, most 
police in the northeast, midwest, and even the west coast have some sort 
of union protection. The southeast and southwest don't seem to have 
this. I know a few officers from down south and if they even use the "U" 
they risk being fired. As for firefighters, the IAFF is the biggest one 
around, although there are others. They are by far the best organized 
and most aggressive. As for EMS, outside of municipal agencies, I 
haven't seen much in the way of effective unions. The primary reason for 
this is that in a lot of ways EMS is a pretty transient business. It is 
occupied by a lot of young, relatively inexperienced people that are 
doing this until they can get into some other occupation. Again, outside 
of municipal agencies, the turnover is very high. This is good for the 
employers, but not for the employees or the patients. If, and when EMS 
grows into a field where most people can make a living for the long 
term, that will be in large part due to unions, and the sacrifices of a 
few very dedicated employees. 
BTW, Texas is a so called "right to work" state, where you can opt not 
to join the union, if there is one. 
Gary
þ CMPQwk 1.42 129 þHe does the work of 3 Men...Moe, Larry & Curly
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