Prop 11: Private ambulance companies vs. worker unions

Proposition 11 would continue the practice to require in law, private emergency ambulance services to remain on call during work breaks.

“All prop 11 does is continue the 50 year practice of paying EMT and Paramedics to be reachable on breaks,” “Yes on 11” spokesperson Marie Brichetto said.

American Medical Response, the emergency service provider in Monterey County, is the sole donor to the proposition’s “yes” campaign with over 20 million dollars.

A union representative for Monterey County paramedics says this proposition is just a clever way of avoiding costly settlements.

“The benefit for them is that they are removed from any current active lawsuits, past lawsuits, or any in the future,” president of IAFF local 4514 union Ben Hitchcock said.

There is no official committee to oppose the proposition.

While those who support the measure say this will lead to quicker response times, those against Prop 11 say this is a way for the private ambulances to save money and fear it could lead to less ambulances in service.

“If someone wants to take a break and this proposition passes they can just tell them too bad and cut down the amount of ambulances since they don’t need them for active coverage,” Hitchcock said. “Response times will suffer.”

The spokesperson for “Yes on 11” says the proposition ensure’s that companies provide adequate staffing levels.