National Emergency Medical Services Association
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| Founded | 2004 |
|---|---|
| Members | 6000 |
| Country | United States |
| Affiliation | Independent |
| Key people | Eric Stephens, Appointed President Joe Durrenberger, Appointed Vice President Alis Muller, Secretary Ted Hunter, Appointed Treasurer Rebecca Ayers, Appointed Regional Director Steve Lucey, Regional Director Mike Johnson, Appointed Regional Director Rick Bergen, Appointed Regional Director Paul McKee, Appointed Regional Director [1] website= www.NEMSAUSA.org[2] |
| Office location | Eastern States Office - Framingham, MA Central and Western States Office - Modesto, CA National Headquarters - Modesto, CA |
The National Emergency Medical Services Association (NEMSA or National EMS Association) is a registered labor union and California non-profit mutual benefit corporation. The bulk of NEMSAs membership consists of emergency medical technicians (EMTs), paramedics and critical care nurses (CCT-RN) however NEMSA also represents EMS Dispatchers and Call Takers, Vehicle Service Technicians and other EMS related support staff.
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[edit] History
The National Emergency Medical Services Association or NEMSA was founded by Torren Colcord and shop stewards within SEIU Local 250 when dissatisfaction of union representation by SEIU led to the creation of an all EMS Union. [3][4]. NEMSA's first bargaining unit was made up of Paramedics and EMTs at Oak Valley Hospital District Ambulance in Oakdale California. NEMSA's second bargaining unit was made up of Paramedics in San Mateo California. After a series of elections, NEMSA became the representative for the 2500 person AMR Northern California Bargaining Unit.[5] NEMSA supporters claim that rather than a large union that paid no attention to EMS, they wanted an EMS Union.[6].
NEMSA has continued to represent EMS Professionals and grow, currently representing members working for various ambulance companies in CA, PA, IN, CT, ME, MA, NH.
[edit] Politics
NEMSA claims it does not advocate or recommend specific political candidates or parties, nor participate in politics unrelated to EMS.[7]
[edit] Critics
NEMSA has been criticized by rival unions of “raiding” [8] their members [9]. The definition of a "raid" is when a union attacks another union for new members. NEMSA points out that does not "raid" anyone, rather EMS professionals represented by non-EMS unions [10], seek out and contact NEMSA and request EMS specific representation and that NEMSA is just responding to requests for representation [11]. The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) conducts secret ballot elections if members of one union want to switch to a new or other union which is how members of prior unions vote to change union representation to NEMSA [12].
Some EMS workers in Portland Oregon are critical of NEMSA disclaiming interest in their bargaining unit when the workforce signed petitions to leave NEMSA and join the Teamsters.[13].
Some EMS workers are critical of NEMSA due to an election procedures dispute related to candidate eligibility regarding the 2010 Officer Election.[1]. The dispute involves election procedures including the eligibility and exclusion of people who are not NEMSA members to run for NEMSA Office[14].
A small group[15] of NEMSA critics known as the "No Shenanigans/Recall Team" participated in unethical and illegal actions against NEMSA.[16] Actions taken against NEMSA include a break-in and occupation of the NEMSA National Headquarters, the theft of computers and proprietary/confidential documentation, proven false claims and accusations of malfeasance, fraud, the spreading of false and misleading information, etc...[17][18]. Legal action between these persons and NEMSA is ongoing.
[edit] External links
[edit] References
- ^ [urn:issn:1081-4507]
