The city and the Austin Emergency Medical Services Association have reached a tentative labor agreement that moves the needle on medic salaries. The city announced Monday that both sides have agreed to a deal that, if approved, would give current Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services employees a 4 percent raise or more, depending on their […]
Austin EMS Association
The union that represents Austin Travis County Emergency Medical Service employees for the benefit of the community and its members.
Posted inPublic Safety
Fire, EMS unions echo calls for city to review extreme weather policies
An ice storm last month prompted fears of a Winter Storm Uri redux, with widespread power outages, and concerns among city officials, including about the leadership of since-terminated City Manager Spencer Cronk. Now, fire and EMS union representatives have joined the call for policy reforms. Austin Firefighters Association President Bob Nicks and Austin-Travis County Emergency […]
Posted inEMS
City still faces gap in first responder pay, benefits
After a presentation comparing first responder salaries and benefits, and a direct plea from an Austin-Travis County EMS medic, the city’s Public Safety Commission is recommending the city take another look at closing the compensation gap between paramedics and the city’s other first responders. At its regular meeting on Nov. 7, the commission passed a […]
Posted inHousing
Public workers are being priced out of the city. Affordable housing can’t help many of them.
As wages for public sector workers fail to keep pace with housing prices, some city employees have turned to income-restricted housing for relief. But because finding an affordable home and meeting the qualifications isn’t always easy, many workers are forced to pay unaffordable market-rate rents or leave the city entirely. Jessica Simmons has been a […]
Posted inEMS
Austin-Travis County EMS, city OK new raises, contract for medical first responders
Austin-Travis County’s emergency medical personnel are getting a raise. The city of Austin reached a deal with EMS negotiators late last month, and City Council unanimously approved the one-year contract with medics on Thursday. The deal is a stopgap, but it does address pay inequity issues the EMS union has been fighting for since the start […]
Posted inEMS
EMS union, city at odds over pay
Twenty-six Emergency Medical Services employees have quit their city jobs so far this year, and according to Austin-Travis County EMS Association President Selena Xie, that’s double the number of separations in 2020 and 2021. She added that, in all of 2019, before the pandemic, 28 medics left the city. She blames required overtime and low […]
Posted inPublic Safety
Negotiations begin anew as public safety contracts expire this year
With contracts between the city and Austin’s three public safety associations set to expire in September, the Public Safety Commission heard presentations and perspectives from each of the groups and the Austin Justice Coalition on Monday. The Austin EMS Association, whose uniformed members serve Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services, has been at the bargaining table […]