Fla. county medics reach deal on salaries

It will take about two weeks to determine the cost of the proposed agreement

January 07, 2016 01:02 PM

By Claire Aronson
The Bradenton Herald

MANATEE, Fla. — Manatee County Emergency Medical Services workers and Manatee County government have reached an agreement on the salary/wage issue of their labor agreement.

During Wednesday’s negotiation meeting, Manatee County government and the International Association of EMTs and Paramedics Local 747, the Manatee County union, reached an agreement on a contract, including the salary/wage issue.

“The county and union negotiating teams did reach agreement in principle on all open articles and no further negotiation sessions are scheduled,” Robert Eschenfelder, chief assistant county attorney, said. “In terms of next steps, I will be working with the union’s lead negotiator over the next few weeks to finalize the wording of the contract.”

Late Wednesday, the Manatee County union posted on their Facebook announcing the news.

“We are happy to announce we have come to agreement with the county and have a contract to present to our members,” the post reads. “We will announce the details once everything is finalized.”

It will take about two weeks to determine the cost of the proposed agreement, Eschenfelder said.

After the final draft of the contract is completed, Eschenfelder said it will be provided to the union members in late January.

“The union’s officers will discuss the proposed agreement’s terms with their members,” Eschenfelder said. “They will then vote to ratify the agreement. If a majority of the members vote to ratify, the agreement will be scheduled for approval by the county commission.”

This approval is expected to occur in mid-February, Eschenfelder said.

The agreement comes after the union, which has been negotiating with the county since 2013, protested outside the county Administrative Building in November due to the failed attempt to reach an agreement.

The Manatee County union protest targeted low wages, forced overtime and other workplace issues. More than 30 Manatee County EMS paramedics and their families participated in the protest.