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IAEP and county HR open wage talks as union seeks raises to close EMT pay gap
Summary
Union representatives and county HR met April 24 to begin wage negotiations focused on pay compression for EMTs and paramedics, arguing county base pay lags a living-wage benchmark and neighboring PRN rates. County staff asked for classification and funding clarifications before finalizing tables.
Nikki Powell, HR director, and union leaders met April 24 to open wage negotiations over emergency medical services pay, with union representatives arguing raises are needed to address retention and pay compression.
Donna Balvin, IAB local 3 2 5 president, framed the proposal around recruitment and retention, saying the county should at minimum match a local living-wage benchmark. "Currently, the living wage for Escambia County is sitting at $21.78 for a single person," Balvin said, and she noted that EMT base pay is "just shy of that" level. Balvin also pointed to market competition: she said South Walton recently set its PRN paramedic rate at "$35.49 an hour," which…
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