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Ariz. EMS providers consider a labor strike

Southwest Ambulance employees are in bargaining sessions with Rural/Metro over “unfair labor practices” and pension pay

TUCSON, Ariz. — Union employees at Southwest Ambulance, a Southern Arizona company owned by Rural Metro, are considering a possible strike that could impact service.

Members of Local l-60, the union that represents EMTs, paramedics and registered nurses, are unhappy with “unfair labor practices,” and pension pay, Tucson News Now reports.

Workers want $8.7 million in pension pay, KVOA.com reports.

More than 800 employees work at Southwest Ambulance, which covers Pima County, Pinal County and part of Graham County. The company would give a 10-day notice of a strike, and Rural Metro would create a contingency plan to make sure there is emergency service in the areas affected.

The union and Rural Metro are involved in bargaining sessions to come to a resolution.