PAX Centurion - May / June 2013

www.bppa.org PAX CENTURION • May/June 2013 • Page 39 Back to the table! “B ACKTOTHE TABLE” A simple request by a group of people who usually go about our business in a cool, calm and collected fashion. On Thursday May 23 rd however, the men and women of the BPPA-EMS Divi- sion took to the streets to inform the public we serve of the rep- rehensible treatment we receive at the hands of the Public Health Commission (PHC) and its executive director. No longer will we remain silent while the PHC mismanages and deteriorates the City’s ambulance service. No longer will we endure the blatant disrespect we receive from our “leaders” at the PHC. It is time the citizens of Boston understood that while THEY certainly respect the EMTs and Paramedics of Boston EMS, the PHC does not. Last week during National EMSWeek, the President of the By Tony O’Brien, Boston EMS Treasurer with its EMTs and Paramedics. In an outrageous display of disre- spect and in the face of counter proposals with concessions from our side the lawyer representing the PHC said they were at “A dead end” and informed us that there would be no further movement from their side of the table. It AMAZES me that just one day before this picket line the men and women of Boston EMS were applauded by the entire City Council for their outstanding service and dedication to the citizens of Boston. City Council President Stephen Murphy recalled watching in awe as the men and women of Boston EMS ran toward the sounds of explosions at the Marathon, disappear- ing into the smoke to render aid to the injured. He also spoke of the work we do day in and day out, answering over 100,000 9-1-1 calls for help per year. The Council’s heartfelt words along with those of the President and the hundreds and hundreds of cards, emails, gifts etc... From all over the globe are not lost on the membership of the BPPA – EMS Division. We appreciate all the kind thoughts. But the sickening treatment of our members by the PHC has reached a tipping point and all the well wishes in the world cannot change that sad reality. The EMTs and Paramedics of Boston EMS are a dedicated group of public servants. We are asking for one thing and one thing only: Respect. If/when the PHC comes to its senses and decide to return to the table we will continue to bargain, as we have always, in good faith. The tone will of course have changed as we have now had to make a very public demand for the respect we deserve. Until that resect is received you can expect more informational pickets outside of PHC headquarters, and at other locations throughout the City. So if you see a well behaved bunch of men and women walking around with these signs, beep your horn or shake a few hands, these are YOUR EMTs and Paramedics. Show them that you, unlike the Public Health Commission, respect them and the job they do all day, every day and that you agree with us that the PHC should have at least SOME respect as well. United States said “In recent weeks, we have again seen the criti- cal role EMS professionals play in times of crisis. When explosives went off at the Boston Marathon, EMS personnel rushed toward the blasts and, with selfless disregard for their own safety, immediately tended to the injured” He said of EMTs and Paramedics “In the face of chaos and tragedy, their steady hands provide vital, life-saving services, and their calm under pressure delivers comfort to neighbors in need” and that their dedication is “fundamental to our society’s well-being” . The President asked all Americans to “recommit to sup- porting EMS personnel and thank them for their heroic contributions to our lives”. Apparently the hierarchy at the PHC wasn’t listening to the most powerful man in the free world, because in the first negotia- tions session since the terrorist attacks the PHC broke off negotiations