EMS Unions Demand Unlimited, Paid Sick leave

(New York, N.Y.)—Two New York City unions representing more than 4,700 Emergency Medical Service professionals stood in the shadow of City Hall on Monday, September 17 to demand that Mayor Bill de Blasio support unlimited sick leave for EMS responders who suffered health ailments as a result of serving at Ground Zero after the 9/11 attacks.

Local 2507, which represents 4,200 Uniformed Emergency Medical Technicians, Paramedics, and Fire Inspectors, and Local 3621, which represents 505 Uniformed EMS Officers, including Captains and Lieutenants, then testified at a hearing at 250 Broadway about the need for State legislation that will grant affected workers unlimited sick time due to their work in the recovery operation after 9/11.

“We need Mayor de Blasio to stand up and do what is right for the men and women who served our country proudly in the aftermath of the worst terrorist attack our city and nation has ever suffered. By preventing unlimited sick time to EMS professionals affected by 9/11, the Mayor has delivered a clear message that he devalues their bravery,” said Oren Barzilay, President of Local 2507.

“Our members put their lives on the line on 9/11 and in the weeks and months afterwards. They deserve the strongest possible healthcare, particularly as many of them battle personal health challenges as a result of their heroism,” said Vincent Variale, President of Local 3621. “We commend Governor Cuomo for his support and urge the Mayor to rethink his resistance and offer EMS the same sick leave benefits accorded to other uniformed professionals in New York City.”

NYPD, FDNY and other uniformed service members – but not EMS – already receive unlimited sick time due to 9/11-related illnesses. Last year, Governor Cuomo signed into law a measure that provided unlimited sick leave to first responders outside of New York City.

More recently, legislation passed the State Senate to expand that coverage to EMS, but not the Assembly because of the Mayor’s opposition. The legislation would have expanded line-of-duty sick leave to include every public officer or employee who, on the job, engaged in World Trade Center rescue, recovery, or cleanup activities. The expansion acknowledged that every public employee deserves benefits related to any qualifying World Trade Center illness or condition as a result of putting their lives on the line to help in any way they could following the tragic events of 9/11.

Earlier this year, New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo chastised the City’s resistance to supporting public servants whose health suffered as a result of their heroic actions on September 11, 2001, writing in a New York Daily News guest column, “It is hard to believe that any of the brave responders could be neglected when it comes to securing the basic health benefits they need, 17 years after that tragic day. But it’s true… If the city is going to continue to block this bill, then it should immediately agree to provide the EMTs and other city employees the benefits they deserve. Otherwise, the city should drop its opposition and let the State Legislature pass the bill to extend the benefits and offer some peace of mind to those who served at Ground Zero and their families.”

After a news conference Monday, EMS leaders testified at a New York State Senate Standing Committee on Civil Service and Pensions hearing to investigate the use of 9/11 line of duty sick leave, to determine whether the program is working, and to discuss any changes that need to be made to the program. That hearing was held in the Senate Hearing Room at 250 Broadway.

“Our 9/11 First Responders put their lives on the line when our nation needed them most. New York State owes these heroes every benefit to which they are entitled. We should not be strangling individuals who answered 9/11 with bureaucratic red tape. This ongoing series of working groups is designed to highlight the needs of our 9/11 heroes, and ensure that New York State is doing the right thing,” said New York State Senator Martin Golden (R-C-I, Brooklyn).

“The terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001 were a defining moment in the history of New York State and the entire country. The tremendous loss caused by this unspeakable act was most acutely felt by the many citizens of our great state and city. Those who risked their lives without hesitation running into those burning buildings and those who served by returning in the aftermath to save the lives of others, exposed themselves to dangerous chemicals and toxins that have lasting effects. Effects that now, 17 years later, are killing many of our brave first responders, some of whom are not covered by unlimited sick leave,” Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato (D-Rockaway Beach) said in a statement of support.

She added, “We need to remember that there are still 9/11 heroes who are struggling with the onset and treatment of World Trade Center conditions while trying to retain employment. As a state we must ensure that these heroes, who are still able to work, keep their jobs while they undergo treatments and attend doctors’ appointments. We need to stand behind all of our first responders no matter what!”

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