(BUFFALO, N.Y.) – On June 28, 2013, Rural/Metro Medical Services (Rural/Metro) of Buffalo presented its final wage and benefit offer to paramedics and medical technicians, who are members of Teamsters Local Union 375. Known for their courage and patience in the face of disaster, the dedicated public service professionals are often among the first responders to emergencies.

The current contract between Rural/Metro, which is owned by the private equity firm Warburg Pincus, and Teamsters Local 375, expired on June 30, 2013.

Although the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service worked with the parties to address the outstanding issues, Rural/Metro’s substandard wage offer and the elimination of existing health care options were significant obstacles to reaching a tentative agreement.

The paramedics and medical technicians will vote on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week, and are expected to reject Rural/Metro’s final offer. The Teamsters will then issue a required ten-day notice permitting job actions at locations through the greater Buffalo area unless Warburg Pincus allows Rural/Metro to negotiate a reasonable wage and benefits package.

“This is a bad situation that is getting worse each day, “said Teamsters Local 375 President Kevin C. Drysdale.  “A large, uncaring, private equity firm has no business in emergency medical services. Their greedy bargaining position is not good for the working families of Western New York or the public in general.”

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