03/20/2015 (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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ARTICLE 33 - INCENTIVE PAY Article 33.10 remains at impasse. The Union disagrees with the County Administrator's recommendation for two reasons. However, certain background needs to be presented. The initial requirement to become a paramedic in the State of Florida is state certification. It is undisputed that in most departments, once a state certified paramedic passes a protocol test, that paramedic can function as a paramedic. This is crucial because a protocoled paramedic is required for any advanced life support unit whether it is an ambulance or a fire engine. In Indian River County, unlike any other department, there is a third level of paramedic which is called a "solo incentive slot." These so-called solos are the only persons the County will allow to make a unit advanced life support. In other words, there are qualified paramedics who have passed the protocol test who the department does not allow to function as paramedics. This rather bizarre system has negative consequences. First, by agreement, the County funds 86 solo incentive slots in accordance with Article 33.10. However, the Director has never filled all those slots. For example, at the time of the hearing before the Special Magistrate, only 78 of 86 solo incentive slots were filled. The reason why the Union is proposing that the Fire Chief be required to fill all 86 solo slots is that it would have a positive impact for both bargaining unit employees and the public. With respect to bargaining unit employees, when the Director artificially reduces the number of solo incentive slots below the number funded, it makes it difficult for solo paramedics to take vacations, choose Kelly Days, and engage in shift exchange. Furthermore, the artificially reduced number also creates pressure for mandatory overtime and overwork for the solo paramedics. With respect to the public, artificially restricting the number of solo paramedics, supposedly to save money, has to be detrimental to the public as the number of persons being able to perform paramedic functions in the field is being artificially reduced. All the Union is asking is that funded solo incentive slots be filled. The County Administrator's refusal is unconscionable. Second, the Union is asking that state certified paramedics who have the protocol test be allowed to function as solo paramedics. Allowing protocoled paramedics to function as solo paramedics is in the interest of the bargaining unit and the interest of the public. It makes more functioning paramedics available for contractual purposes and there can be no doubt the public would benefit by additional solo medics. According to the County Administrator, a state certified paramedic who has been protocoled by the medical director cannot function as a paramedic in the field. This attempt by the County Administrator to save money operates to the detriment of bargaining unit employees and to the public. Local 2201 respectfully requests that a motion be made to adopt the Union's proposal for Article 33 - Incentive Pay which immediately follows on the next page.