Newsroom

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 6, 2021

District Council 37, Local 2507 and Local 3621 announce major wage increases for over 4,500 EMTs, Paramedics, EMS Lieutenants and Captains and Fire Protection Inspectors

Tentative contract agreement follows months of negotiations fighting on behalf of those who were on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic.

NEW YORK—District Council 37 Executive Director Henry Garrido, Local 2507 President Oren Barzilay and Local 3621 President Vincent Variale today announced a tentative contract agreement that will raise wages for over 4,500 FDNY employees, improve recruitment and retention, and expand the mental health response pilot program. Workers impacted include EMTs, Paramedics, EMS Lieutenants and Captains, and Fire Protection Inspectors – many of whom were on the frontlines of fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. The deal was made with Mayor de Blasio, OLR Commissioner Renee Campion and FDNY First Deputy Commissioner Laura Kavanaugh.

“This is an important day for our first responders in Locals 2507 and 3621 who are getting the big raises they deserve,” said Henry Garrido, Executive Director, District Council 37, AFSCME. “These members were on the frontlines for COVID-19 helping New Yorkers in need. Our city could not have gotten through without them and we are so grateful for their service.”

“Our men and women have sacrificed so much for our city, they work tirelessly to survive under the current financial climate we live in. My administration started a campaign in recent years to make the public aware of our working and living conditions. This contract brings us closer to what we have been fighting for,” said Oren Barzilay, President, Local 2507, District Council 37, AFSCME. “We thank our men & women in EMS and Fire Inspectors for their dedication and professionalism. Let us never forget those who succumbed to illness and injuries performing their duties while working.”

“This contract addresses issues that have negatively impacted EMS for many years,” said Vincent Variale, President, Local 3621, District Council 37, AFSCME. “While it does not provide parity with the other Uniformed Emergency Services, it does provide financial relief for our EMS members, Heroes of NYC. Special thank you to DC 37 Executive Director Henry Garrido, Negotiations Director Rose Lovaglio-Miller, Associate General Counsel Steven Sykes, DC 37 Assistant Director Tracey Ziemba, Negotiator Ben Toushek and the Local 3621 Executive Board.”

The agreement covers the period from June 29, 2018 through July 28, 2022, including a six-month contract extension. The agreement includes productivity enhancements tied to increased work hours and the expansion of mental health responses. Under the agreement, a 6% mental health response differential will be provided to EMS employees who are trained and available to be deployed in the expanded version of the mental-health pilot program that pairs EMS workers with trained mental health professionals in response to non-violent mental health calls.

General wage increases under this agreement are as follows:

6/29/18: 2%
6/29/19: 2.25%
7/29/20: 3%
9/12/21: 4%

Effective on September 12th, employees will also work 2,088 hours per year; the previous contractual work schedule for most unit employees was 1,957 hours per year. Other economic benefits under the agreement are increases to longevity payments, annuity payments, and uniform allowance payments.

The terms of the agreement must be ratified by union membership.