EMTs for private ambulance company hope city will require pay raise in new contract

SEATTLE — Meagan Scherzinger's work as an emergency medical technician can save lives.

She's also broke.

KIRO 7 Reporter Rob Munoz is live explaining the resolution that councilmember Kshama Sawant will try to push through. Rob's on air until 7 a.m.

"The $15 an hour is not cutting it and it hasn't been for a while," she said.

Scherzinger shares a one-bedroom apartment with two people.

She moonlighted as a Lyft driver and donated plasma for thirty bucks at a time.

"It is demeaning to have to sell any part of your body to make enough to eat," Scherzinger said.

Scherzinger has been working for American Medical Response (AMR), which contracts with the City of Seattle to transport some patients after firefighters evaluate them.

City Councilmember Kshama Sawant is calling for changes to the next AMR contract.

On Monday, she'll try to pass a resolution that says the city should require AMR pay EMTs at least $25 per hour.

Scroll down to continue reading

More news from KIRO 7

• L & I fines Taco Bell franchise owner nearly $120,000
• SR 516 closed for hours in Kent after wrong-way fatal crash
• Bellevue police chief placed on leave during criminal investigation
• Search underway for missing hiker in North Cascades
• Do you have an investigative story tip? Send us an email at investigate@kiro7.com

DOWNLOAD OUR FREE NEWS APP

Sawant says AMR's EMT's in California have higher wages and lower health care deductibles.

"The workers who do the work of heroes are living in abysmal conditions," Sawant said.

Union officials say current pay for AMR EMTs in Seattle starts at $15.54 per hour, and tops out at $24.96 after 12 years.

In a statement, AMR says it pays "above the living wage" in Seattle and that it receives no subsidy or tax support from the city for wages and benefits.

When KIRO 7 posed questions about the city's contract with AMR to Mayor Jenny Durkan's office, her spokeswoman instead referred to a separate, open union contract between AMR and the Teamsters, writing "the city hopes they are able to find a resolution."

Cox Media Group