EMS Pilots Ratify New Contract
Emergency Medical Service (EMS) helicopter pilots, members of Office and Professional Employees ( OPEIU ) Local 109 and employed by Air Methods Corporation based in Denver, have ratified a new agreement. The 1,000 pilots operate in 45 states and transport nearly 100,000 patients a year. AMC is the nation’s largest provider of air medical emergency transport services and systems.
The agreement–reached after two and a half years of talks that included mediator from the National Mediation Board—was ratified by a wide margin. Says Local 109 President Dan McDade:
I’m pleased with the results and look forward to working cooperatively with the company. This agreement demonstrates an improved cooperative relationship between the company and the union.
AMC recently acquired Omniflight, which employs more than 300 helicopter pilots. Discussions will begin soon on providing those pilots a voice in the AMC bargaining unit.
OPEIU Local 109 is affiliated with the Professional Helicopter Pilots Association ( PHPA ), a council within OPEIU.
