Disapproval

To the editor:

Do some leaders of District Council 37 really need to think twice about not endorsing Mayor Adams for a second term? ("Adams, Cuomo Skip Mayoral Candidates Forum," The Chief, Feb. 28). There should be no DC 37 endorsement for a mayor who, in 2021, with news reporters and television cameras in tow, misled the FDNY EMS members of Locals 2507 and 3621.

Adams promised as mayor to give pay equity to several thousand FDNY EMTs, paramedics and officers. He's been mayor for 3½ years; but for 2½ years he has failed to deliver a new contract to them.

According to a 2001 law, the FDNY Emergency Medical Services is to be treated as a "uniformed service" in contract negotiations. That law has never been followed. One example of disregard for the law can be found in an upbeat 2021 City Hall press release, which reads in part, " ‘Thank you to DC 37 Executive Director Henry Garrido and his entire team for working with the City on this contract,’ ” said Commissioner Renee Campion…. This agreement conforms to the pattern reached with other civilian unions." Jut not "uniformed service" unions.

That last 2021 FDNY Emergency Medical Services contract, itself years overdue, ended in 2022. It's so bad that after 5½ years on the job, a hard-working sanitation worker who collects our trash, has a base pay of $30,000 more than a medically certified FDNY EMT who rapidly responds to give emergency medical treatment and transport to our fellow New Yorkers on the worst days of their lives.

Current and retired DC-37 members, and their family members, rely on the FDNY Emergency Medical Services to be there when needed.

Helen Northmore