PAX Centurion - September / October 2013

www.bppa.org PAX CENTURION • September/October 2013 • Page 45 M y father told me a long time ago that actions speak louder than words. In this age of digital communication, where people can type words, and send instantaneous text messages to relatives across the world on a handheld piece of glass while walking their dog, that is still apparently true. The BPPA/EMS Division has been conducting coordinated Union action, as the use of words does not appear to be working. But it wasn’t for a lack of trying: The BPPA/EMS division began new contract negotiations in good faith in 2010, as the old contract was about to expire. For three years, the BPPA negotiating committee has been meeting with Public Health officials about contract negotiations. THREEYEARS. Then in June of 2013, the PHC negotiators broke off negotiations, and walked away from the table, saying they had to check with their “Principals” first. They were not empowered to make any decisions at the table themselves. Three years of negotiations – three years of words – down the tubes. Wasted. The EMS division knew of the current budget shortfall for fiscal 2014, and pointed out to the PHC that the budget they were drafting was insufficient to fund EMS, the one program they administrate that directly provides medical care to ALL of Boston’s residents. Even more baffling was while the PHC CHOSE to under-fund EMS by almost 4 million dollars, they fully funded other programs, and pet projects that directly provide care to....well......no one. The most glaring example is the chicken farm. The Boston Public Health Commission runs a chicken farm on Long Island. These chickens are free range, and lay organic eggs. How this helps urban healthcare delivery is vague at best. The PHC claims that it is largely a job training program, and that agriculture in Boston is impor- tant. That’s a public health concern? The farm is fully funded through to 2015. EMS work- ers are working without a contract for over 2 years, and the service is grappling with severe reductions, and faces more in the near future. But the chickens are safe. Shortly thereafter, layoffs at EMS were announced, ostensibly to combat the forecast budget shortfall. Back in May, the City Council had insisted that there be no reduction in the number of EMTs, and that the service should not be weakened, so non-BPPA office workers who help the EMTs do what they do were laid off instead. Without the supporting tasks those office workers used to do, coupled with attrition the PHC refuses to replace, the work of EMS has become much more difficult, and in the longer term, will drastically hurt the service. At the next meeting of the BPPA/EMS Division House of Reps, a Actions speak louder than words By Ed McCarthy, EMS Editor unanimous vote was taken on communicating a letter of No Confi- dence on behalf of the entire membership of Boston EMS towards the PHCAdministration. It was intended as a strong signal that the EMTs and Paramedics of Boston EMS were tired of being strung along, lied to, and placated. Still, as strong as this message was intended to be, it was still just words. Words that were apparently ignored. Talking to these people is like shooting pool with a rope. And so, onAugust 18th, 2013, the BPPA/EMS Division acted. An informational picket line was formed, not out of malevolence, or a desire to bully anyone, but out of a desire to be heard; a desire to settle these issues, and demonstrate that the EMTs and Paramedics of Boston EMS were not just going to meekly sit and wait for the commission to further underfund and weaken the best EMS service in the world, and ultimately render EMS in Boston unable to fulfill its primary function. The occasion was the day the PHC held their barbecue to celebrate the good work they do on Long Island - ironic indeed that they were throwing a party for themselves after laying off people, and leaving them without a paycheck to buy food for their families. One of whom was just 6 months from retirement! I sure hope those hotdogs were tasty! EMS people drew up their line, and jeered those that crossed it - and rightfully so. Anyone who did, either a union worker, or someone who worked alongside union workers should have known better. Shame on them. Over 200 EMS members joined by Boston Police, Boston Superior Officers Association, SENA, AFSCME, Boston Ironworkers, and SIEU members kept it up. All day. Can you hear us now? This organized union action must have struck a nerve, at the end of the day. The administrators of the PHC yanked their collective heads out of the sand long enough to send out some tersely worded e-mails, and disclosures on contract negotiation details no one should have been privy to. At least we know now their internet connection works. Contrary to faceless accusations, no EMS person used any profan- ity or threatening gestures. I was there, and there was none of that. I did see more than my share of middle fingers protruding from the cars that did pass by, however, which is apparently allowable in the double-standard-filled world of the Boston Public Health Commis- sion. At least we appear to have their attention now. More organized union activity will likely follow. So Dad was a pretty smart guy after all. Actions DO speak louder than words. Unity and Strength. The Long Island picket line.