For the remainder of the bid, management has decided to let Paramedics increase their FTE up to a 1.0. The union has asked for members to have this opportunity for a long time. Many of our members that were hired at 0.9 have asked for this increase as they want to bid a 1.0 schedule. This increase was intended largely for those that were hired at 0.9 because we were no longer hiring at 1.0. These paramedics have yet to bid.
The timing of this FTE increase to 1.0 is not ideal as we are mid-bid. However, FTE increases and decreases are very common throughout the bid. Last week for example a paramedic increased their FTE to 0.95, which would allow them to bid 0.9, 0.95 or 1.0 hours. There is contract language for FTE increases and decreases twice a year but management has always allowed members to increase or decrease at any time given the availability of positions. This has allowed employees flexibility that isn’t otherwise allowed in the contract.
This FTE increase to 1.0 is an opportunity for our members that want to be 1.0 that couldn’t previously. It will also aid in filling more shifts for the summer with the staff that we already have.
If there are any paramedics that have already bid and want to increase their FTE back to 1.0 from dropping it previously, please contact Amanda Layne. There are several options to accommodate this at this time – we can add an already open shift, we can increase your FTE and float the hours or we can get an FTE increase for next bid. Like the employee mentioned above, the opportunity to increase has been available to employees up to this point in the bid.
We are recommending that we allow the FTE increase to 1.0 and to continue on with the bid. This opportunity is a benefit for our members and an aid to filling our schedule for the coming summer. We also hope this will be an option for all divisions going forward including ALS EMT.
Thank You,
Brett Hopper
President IAEP R7-167