Buffalo first responders ready to walk from private equity firm offer

A bad situation is getting worse each day for our brother and sister first responders at Local 375 in Buffalo. A big, greedy, private-equity firm that has no business in emergency medical services is trying to cut their health care and making a miserly wage offer.

Warburg, Pincus is the private-equity firm that owns Rural/Metro Medical Services. Last week they submitted a crappy contract offer. The workers, represented by Teamsters Local 375, will vote on the contract tomorrow and Wednesday.

Kevin C. Drysdale, president of Teamsters Local 375, said there is little chance workers will support the current offer. He said in a press statement:

Their greedy bargaining position is not good for the working families of Western New York or the public in general.

Once the offer is rejected, the Teamsters will issue a required 10-day notice permitting job actions -- can you say "strike?" -- throughout greater Buffalo. That is, unless Warburg Pincus allows Rural/Metro to negotiate a reasonable wage and benefits package.

The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service worked with both sides, but Rural/Metro seemed unwilling to negotiate in good faith with their employees. The current contract expired June 30.

Stay tuned.

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Posted by: Tukiyooo Buffalo first responders ready to walk from private equity firm offer Updated at : 2:18 PM

Monday, July 1, 2013