Local - 20
What we do for you...
As a union member, you have far greater protections and rights than you would as an at-will employee. Through our collective bargaining agreement, we have a voice in how we are treated, how we are compensated, and how our day-to-day work environment operates.
You cannot be terminated without just cause, and if you — and we as a union — disagree with how you are treated at any time, we have established legal and contractual avenues to address it.
Most importantly, you are never alone. The Executive Board and your Shop Stewards stand ready to advocate for you, defend your rights, and have your back every step of the way.
Where your dues go:
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Annual EMS Week gifts to recognize and celebrate our members
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Representation during disciplinary meetings — you are never alone
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National IAEP support and experienced legal backing when it matters most
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Professional negotiators and arbitration coverage to enforce your contract
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Mental health and wellness resources for the unique stressors of EMS
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Fundraising and member assistance efforts when a brother or sister is in need
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Food and hospitality at meetings and union events to keep members engaged
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Ongoing advocacy, training, and communication
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And so much more
Representation:
If that situation arises, follow these steps:
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Invoke your Weingarten Rights immediately.
State clearly:
“If this conversation could in any way lead to discipline, I respectfully request union representation. I choose not to answer questions without my representative present.” -
Remain calm and professional.
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Contact a Shop Steward or Executive Board member right away.
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Complete a representation request form.
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Within three (3) business days, contact management to schedule a meeting with your union representative present.
Bargaining:
Every 3-5 years, the union and management bargain over our agreement with one another,
which we call a “collective bargaining agreement” or CBA. You may also hear this referred to as the “union contract.” We bargain over everything in the CBA including how we get cleared for shifts, what benefits we get, the rules of holdovers, how seniority works, wages and raises, permanent shift bids, how disciplines are handled, and so, so much more. A bargaining committee was formed to negotiate our current CBA. The committee included board members, stewards, and other members. Though we didn’t achieve all of our goals in our negotiations, it was overwhelmingly a positive outcome, with most of our past concerns addressed in some way. Our CBA has been evolving since the local's founding more than 30 years ago, and is still evolving in real time as we adapt to the times we are in.
