As you are lifted into an ambulance you hope that the emergency medical worker who puts an oxygen mask over your nose knows what he or she is doing and did not get a promotion because he or she was somebody’s friend.
That question is being asked in a law suit by the EMS union that calls for an objective civil service test to assure the most competent get promoted to treat emergency victims.
Local 3621 filed a claim alleging that the City has engaged in discriminatory promotional practices.
Other emergency workers are promoted using standardized civil service exams—but not so for Emergency Responders, which the union says is unfair.
According to President of Local 3621, Vincent Variale, “Our members are the most diverse uniformed emergency workforce in NYC. We risk our lives daily and work hard. By discriminating in its promotional practices and promoting within the boys’ club of who you know, as opposed to who is most qualified, the City hurts our members. But they also hurt all New Yorkers who rely on the best and most qualified emergency responders working in the highest positions to protect them.”
Yetta Kurland, senior partner of the Kurland Group which represents Local 3621, stressed the importance of this suit, saying “It is critical that the City stop these discriminatory practices and create a level playing field for advancement for all of the brave women and men in the EMS, and throughout the City’s workforce.”
—George Capsis
