Emergency Medical Services (EMS) workers face severe pay disparities and undervaluation, which negatively impacts recruitment and retention. Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams previously advocated for pay parity. However, despite holding the position to enact change, Mayor Adams has not advanced necessary progress. Low starting salaries hinder EMS personnel's ability to sustain themselves, leading many to work additional jobs. Burnout results in increased response times and potential fatal outcomes due to worker shortages. Stabilizing the EMS workforce requires fair contract negotiations to reflect their true worth, as they are essential in responding to emergencies in a populous city.
In 2021, then Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams penned a joint op-ed calling on the city to secure pay parity for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) workers.
Despite having the power to deliver, Mayor Adams has instead turned his back on frontline workers by failing to advance progress that would pay EMS workers what they deserve.
Low starting salaries make it difficult for the City to recruit and retain EMS personnel, contributing to high attrition rates, with nearly 75% of this workforce having less than five years on the job.
To stabilize the EMS workforce and maintain a reliable emergency response citywide, Mayor Adams must address outstanding pay disparities by negotiating a fair contract for EMS workers.
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