Public Employee Press
DC 37 has your back
EMS Officers win historic victory
Uniformed EMS Officers Local 3621 began its fight more than a decade ago to establish a career ladder for members.
Now, thanks to the local’s persistence and the support of elected officials in Albany, the battle has finally been won.
“This is a historic victory for our members,” said Local 3621 President Vincent Variale. The local represents lieutenants, captains, deputy chiefs and chiefs who work at the Fire Dept. of New York.
Legislation needs Cuomo’s support
For years those members who wanted to advance in their careers were unable to do so.
“Other civil servants could take a test offered by the city to apply for another position and a higher pay grade, but not our members,” Variale said.
Those Local 3621 members will now have an opportunity to take a civil service exam and be promoted based on their test scores.
“For years there was no exam offered for our members to take, so the opportunity to be promoted was limited and based on who you knew,” said Variale.
The legislation to establish the EMS civil service exam received broad support in Albany and was passed recently by the Assembly and the Senate. The bill now needs to be signed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo. The bill received the support of Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan, Assembly member Peter Abbate, Sen. Marty Golden and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie.
“Without their support and our legal counsel Robert Unger, this victory would not be possible,” Variale said.
