On Friday night, vote results will reveal if Pittsburgh paramedics accepted a new contract offer from the city or will strike.
They arrived for the vote earlier Friday -- some in street clothes and others on the job. All seemed anxious to be heard by the city's administration.
"We want to see patients get the highest level of care from the moment we can get to them," said a paramedic.
Several of the 160 medics told Channel 11 that they are unhappy with the latest proposal. It calls for rescue operations always done by paramedics to be turned over to firefighters. That includes extrications after car accidents.
Veteran Tracey Worthy said when every second counts, public safety could be jeopardized.
"I want them to get the best care. Some of the things the fire department is doing, they can't give good patient care," said Worthy.
The medics' union president told Channel 11 he doesn't expect the contract to pass. That means a strike would be authorized.
The ballots will be tallied at 9 p.m.
They arrived for the vote earlier Friday -- some in street clothes and others on the job. All seemed anxious to be heard by the city's administration.
"We want to see patients get the highest level of care from the moment we can get to them," said a paramedic.
Several of the 160 medics told Channel 11 that they are unhappy with the latest proposal. It calls for rescue operations always done by paramedics to be turned over to firefighters. That includes extrications after car accidents.
Veteran Tracey Worthy said when every second counts, public safety could be jeopardized.
"I want them to get the best care. Some of the things the fire department is doing, they can't give good patient care," said Worthy.
The medics' union president told Channel 11 he doesn't expect the contract to pass. That means a strike would be authorized.
The ballots will be tallied at 9 p.m.
WPXI
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