Paramedics say they just want to get back to focusing on saving lives, but with a strike hanging over their heads, they say there is growing concern about their futures.
Union workers at AMR Ambulance Service have been working without a contract all month. If there is a strike, both the city and county says fire paramedics can cover any calls, so the public should not be worried.
How they got to this point is different depending on who you ask. The union says this is a company attempting to break their ranks. The company says the union is pulling a fast one by bringing in an outside negotiator.
Read AMR's statement on the possible strike
Union members working for AMR say they want to close the door on this contract and get back to a normal work environment. The ambulance service says about 41-percent of their field workforce, or 147 people, belong to the union.
The Service Employees International Union says they represent 66-percent of the workers.
Alex Ocampo belongs to the union. He says he's an AMR paramedic and chief union steward. Ocampo adds AMR will not sit down to work out a contract, leaving no choice, but to strike.
"All we want is to sit down at the table and negotiate a contract. Nobody wants a strike," he said.
AMR said they don't know who to negotiate with. The local union turned to a national union member to represent them in the negotiations. The company has asked the National Labor Board to rule if that person can speak for the local members.
Ocampo says there is something more sinister behind what he calls a delay tactic, "I think they are testing our resolve. They are trying to see how strong we are as a union and how committed and focused we are."
He feels AMR ultimately wants to decertify the union.
A strike could jeopardize public safety, so Mayor Oscar Goodman and Commissioner Rory Reid got both sides in the same building, but couldn't get them in the same room.
"I went and I would speak them and they would speak to me. Then I would go back and I would speak to him and go back. Basically they were in communication with each other as a result of my ventriloquism," said Goodman.
There was no progress. A strike could be called as soon as the day after Thanksgiving. Legally AMR needs to be notified by the union of a strike at least 10 days before it happens. The company has not yet been served with the official paperwork.
There is a December 2, 2008 labor board hearing that will address a union claim of unfair labor practices. No word on when the board will rule on AMR's question of who to negotiate with.
Union members working for AMR say they want to close the door on this contract and get back to a normal work environment.
