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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />Kevin C. Drysdale, president of Teamsters Local 375, said there is little chance workers will support the current offer. He said in a press <a href="http://www.teamster.org/content/private-equity-firm-warburg-pincus-greed-harming-first-responders-western-new-york">statement</a>:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">Their greedy bargaining position is not good for the working families of Western New York or the public in general.</blockquote>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. <br /><br />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.<br /><br />Stay tuned.

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...

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