New York paramedics demand fair wages

New York.- In the city that never sleeps, those who respond to emergencies and save lives face a paradox: their salary is lower than those who deliver food. More than 4,000 emergency medical service professionals in New York have raised their voices to demand a salary increase, arguing that their current compensation, $18.94 per hour, puts them at a disadvantage compared to other essential workers. The contrast is evident. While food delivery workers have managed to get the city to guarantee them a minimum payment of $21.44 per hour, paramedics and emergency technicians from the Fire Department are still lagging behind, despite the high demand and the inherent risk of their work. Oren Barzilay, president of the EMS union 2507 of the FDNY, called the situation a “moral failure” and warned of an imminent staffing crisis if their demands are not met. Barzilay warned that, if an adjustment does not occur, up to 70% of the workers could leave their positions in the next five years, which would jeopardize the response capacity in critical situations. In addition, he emphasized that the majority of the workforce is made up of women and people from minority communities, who face difficulties in covering basic expenses such as housing and food.

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The figures reinforce the claim: in 2024, emergency teams responded to more than 1.6 million calls, a significant increase compared to previous years. However, their starting salary barely exceeds $39,000 annually, far below what police and firefighters earn in the same city, and even what their counterparts earn in neighboring counties. The union demands that the municipal authorities and the next mayor prioritize the dignity and well-being of those who, day after day, risk everything for the safety of New Yorkers.