Member Information Center

/ Member News and Information

Sep 18, 2020

Alameda County Local 510 to Picket Falck A/S Cuts

Frustrated Alameda First Responders Resort to Picket
Cuts by Corporate EMS Giant Push Local EMTs and Paramedics to Work Action
 
(Alameda County, CA) Months of tense contract negotiations between National Association of
Government Employees (NAGE) Local 510 EMS professionals and their employer Falck Ambulance
Service will come to a head next week with two informational picket protests. Scheduled for 5 p.m.
September the 29th at Falck headquarters in Hayward and 11 a.m. the 30th at Frank Ogawa Plaza in
Oakland, both events expect to garner a large turnout from union supporters around Alameda. This will
mark the first work action taken by the over 450 EMTs and paramedics against Falck in preparation for
further demonstrations if negotiations remain unproductive.
 
Conflict at the bargaining table began for Alameda first responders earlier this year with tone-deaf
proposals by Falck that would set compensation at 20-30% below other area EMS units. Deep benefit
cuts included in the proposed package further angered local members who also saw near constant
payroll issues, healthcare benefit lockups and poor handling of employees covering special pandemic
assignments this year alone. NAGE National Executive Vice-President James Farley commented on the
negotiations, “Management’s proposed cuts are just a slap in the face to the dedication and
commitment of the EMS professionals serving Alameda County." Farley continued, “They need to wake
up and treat these true heroes with some respect. All they see is dollar signs and opportunities to profit -
it’s shameful.”
 
According to Falck’s own public financial data the corporation took in over $2 billion globally last
fiscal year and over $500 million in the first quarter of 2020 leaving many to wonder why cutbacks
would be necessary. Even given the ongoing global pandemic which has put their entire workforce at a
severely heightened risk, Falck has still elected to maximize profits at the expense of front-line
employees and their communities.
 
“Underpaying first responders during a pandemic or otherwise hurts everyone from the mayors to the
stay at home moms,” said NAGE EMS National Director Philip Petit. “Alameda EMS professionals are
taking action now to alert the public and with their help it is our hope Falck returns to mediation on
September 25th to do the right thing."
 
Protective face masks are highly encouraged for any picket attendees and further support for local 510
can be directed to the Alameda County Board of Supervisors at acgov.org/board

Back to NAGE News