[ back ]
Rally at HUMC
(by Mark J. Bonamo - July 02, 2008)
EMTs continue fight for jobs
The uphill battle by Hackensack’s city EMTs to preserve their jobs in the face of an agreement between the city and Hackensack University Medical Center (HUMC) literally went in that direction on June 30. Close to 250 supporters marched uphill from Hackensack High School to the hospital to protest the planned changes in city ambulance service.
Led by firefighter and EMT union officials, the protest march also marked a change in strategy in the union’s struggle with the city. Previous efforts centered on negotiating with city officials in a bid to urge them to change their decision to let go eight EMTs under Hackensack Fire Department (HFD) by Aug. 1 as part of an arrangement with HUMC. Instead, the June 30 protest focused on hospital officials, with marchers bringing their message directly to HUMC’s front yard.
A steady stream of red
As the crowd of red-shirted supporters assembled in the high school parking lot, Charles Grieco, deputy fire chief and president of International Association of Fire Fighters Local 3172 – Hackensack Uniformed Fire Officers Association, noted the shift in tactics.
"Everybody has to realize that the hospital is a big part of this," he said. "They have to step up and do the right thing also. We’re not going away."
In comments he made to the crowd using a bullhorn in front of the hospital, Grieco emphasized the experience of the current crew of EMT workers relative to their potential replacements, who would be hired by HUMC.
"You have a choice in Hackensack," he said. "You could have the best, (which) you have now, or you could have a newly schooled individual using a GPS to get to your house. That does not work."
For Bart Calandrillo, 47, the current EMT system in town works just fine.
"One of the essential reasons that I moved to Hackensack was that it had a full time fire department and emergency medical services," he said. "We never asked for any services to be eliminated. We’re willing to pay for it as taxpayers. It’s something we’ve benefited from for the last 45 years."
"For me and my family, there are two things that I’m willing to pay taxes for: safety and education for my two kids," Calandrillo added. "This is about safety. But in the end, it’s about all our kids."
Betty McNair has lived in Hackensack for 60 years. Holding a protest sign, she recalled the help provided by the EMTs for her late husband.
"I called for them to come, and it seemed like they were there in two seconds," she said. "When the hospital paramedics came, it took them 10 minutes."
City, hospital respond
In a statement written by Anne Marie Campbell, vice president of public relations at HUMC, it was noted that the hospital agreed to take on the city’s daytime ambulance service in February as a condition for approval to build a new cancer center adjacent to the medical complex. Hackensack City Manager Stephen Lo Iacono has previously stated publicly that the hospital proposed taking on the ambulance service. Although union officials pointed out the discrepancy between these two statements, Lo Iacono stated in previously published reports that any disagreement between the two parties in the developer’s agreement should not affect the final outcome.
"We have an agreement with the hospital, and I expect them to live buy it," Lo Iacono said.
City officials have consistently reiterated that the agreement with the hospital will save them $600,000 a year.
The medical center’s statement declared that it would "honor our commitment." Standing at the edge of the protest within the hospital’s boundaries, Dr. Joseph Feldman, chairman of the hospital’s emergency trauma department, noted that while HUMC is still negotiating with Vanguard Ambulance Service of Rutherford to assume the city’s daytime ambulance service duties, no final decision has been made. Feldman further stated the hospital believes that can still deliver quality service despite the additional responsibility.
""We’re in the business of providing excellent health care," he said.
Protest ends with a nod to past
The protest drew to a close after Grieco and John Linquito, a Hackensack firefighter who is also president of I.A.F.F. Local 2081 - Hackensack Professional Firefighters & EMTs, attempted to leave letters for HUMC’s Board of Governors requesting a meeting about the transfer of ambulance services. The union leaders were politely rebuffed by hospital security. Grieco and Linquito said that they will mail the letters.
Before the protestors marched back down the hill, Kevin Gallagher, I.A.F.F. First District vice president for New York and New Jersey, noted a dark moment in the city’s past to make a point about the present.
"Twenty years ago, five Hackensack firefighters gave their lives protecting their city and the people that they loved," a reference to loss of five firefighters at the Hackensack Ford dealership fire on July 1, 1988. "Let us now show these heroes that the citizens of Hackensack will always support its firefighters. Tell the city’s managers that you will not accept a cut in service… just to save a few dollars. Your lives may depend on it."
"This is the first rally," he added. "Let’s hope we don’t have to come back again."
E-mail: bonamo@northjersey.com
[ back ]
