Labor Dispute for Rural-Metro

Rural-Metro will return to the bargaining table next month. Paramedics held an informational picket in front of the Cheektowaga Police Station, where inside, the Cheektowaga EMS Board was having its monthly meeting. Rural-Metro workers have turned down two contract deals already. A federal mediator will be brought in to begin the new round of discussions. The union wants a raise from the current nine-dollars-70-cents starting wage for full-time EMTs. Rural-Metro is still under contract to provide ambulance services to the town of Cheektowaga, even if there is a strike. This means using company managers or out-of-town paramedics to do the job.