The AMR ambulance workers' union, Local 449, is threatening to strike. Local 449 vice president Kevin Drysdale told 7 Eyewitness News poor negotiations are among "multiple problems" that led to the union filing a ten-day strike notice to AMR on March 22.
Drysdale said the union wants to "resolve its issues" with AMR within the ten day period, but the workers are "preparing to do what is necessary" if a resolution is not reached. He added there are 350 union employees working for AMR, which is "all of them."
AMR provides ambulance coverage for the City of Buffalo and other parts of WNY.
Drysdale said more information will be available soon once a public statement is released.
7 Eyewitness News has reached out to AMR of Western New York for comment, but has not yet heard back.
Twin City Ambulance and Mercy Flight have both provided statements to 7 Eyewitness News on how they would handle the situation if there were a strike within AMR.
Twin City said it would step in and contribute resources if and when it's asked, but noted it's AMR's responsibility to make and have a backup plan if a strike occurs.
Vice President of Finance at Mercy Flight Scott Wooton sent the following statement:
"Hopefully AMR has a contingency plan in place for such a situation to ensure that the welfare of the public is not harmed in any way. As far as Mercy Flight’s involvement could be concerned, our ground ambulance resources are comparatively very limited, and are dedicated to other service areas, but we would certainly provide any assistance we possibly could to assist those suffering from a medical emergency."
