With unanimous support, paramedics and EMTs form a union with AFSCME in Montana

[Midnight Writer]

1. One of my greatest fears is having a medical emergency and an underpaid, disgruntled EMT shows up.

If anyone deserves a raise and the equipment and back-up to do their job, it is EMTs.

Used to be a city function in my town, based at the fire station and union-staffed.

But the city decided to contract it out. Some fly-by-night outfit came in, got the contract, and set up shop in an old gas station. Lasted about a year, and the company closed down, leaving the city with no EMT service.

Now another private contractor has come in and pays their EMTs about the same as a fast-food worker and apparently treats them about as well. Worker turn-over is about three months. Training is minimal. God bless the workers, but I hope I never have to rely on them in an emergency.