Variale says EMS civil service promotions still not recognized
Variale says EMS captain, deputy chief, and division chief became civil service titles in 2019, but the city and department refused to recognize them. He says the union won a lawsuit on eight counts, quoting the judge that the city violated EMS members' constitutional rights, yet no civil service exams have been scheduled.
I'd like to comment about what was last said.
Regarding opportunities in EMS.
There are other opportunities other than going to fire.
There are promotions to lieutenant, which is a civil service exam.
There is captain, deputy chief, and division chief.
For many years, those titles were not civil service titles.
They were a pick-em, basically.
I like you, so I'll make you this or whatever.
They did an interview, but basically if they liked the person, they would pick that person to get promoted.
That changed in 2019.
A law was passed and signed.
making EMS captain, deputy chief, and division chief all civil service titles.
The department and the city refused to recognize those, that exam, all those titles being civil service.
We filed a lawsuit, and just about a month ago, we won that lawsuit on eight counts, all in favor.
I'll quote the judge on this.
The city has violated the constitutional rights of the members in EMS, but not providing them with an equal and fair opportunity of merit and fitness to promote to these civil service titles.
And today we are still left with no civil service exam to these titles.
I had members, officers, lieutenants, who after hearing that this promotion is not going to be recognized still, are resigning.
They took a pension loan and they're moving out to another place to get a job in another city or state that would better recognize and treat EMS better than we do in New York City.
And again, we lose more experience.
That we paid for in training, that was gained through years of working with patients, and the damages continue.
These are, my point is that these are not just, these things, the issues are not just about money.
We need to make this a career, a place where people want to come and stay.
Encourage those to say, hey, I want to join the EMS ranks in New York City because there is a career there.
I can stay there for 20, 30 years.
30 years, earn a living, and have a ladder to go up on.
Without that, the problem will continue.
That's all.
Thank you.