Emergency Medical Service (EMS) Pilots at Air Methods Corporation Ratify Agreement

News provided by

Office and Professional Employees International Union, AFL-CIO (OPEIU)

Dec 15, 2011, 05:19 ET

DENVER, Dec. 15, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Emergency Medical Service (EMS) helicopter pilots, members of Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) Local 109 employed by Air Methods Corporation based in Denver, Colorado have ratified a new agreement covering more than 1,000 pilots. AMC operates in 45 states transporting close to 100,000 patients annually as the nation's largest provider of air medical emergency transport services and systems.

The agreement was reached after strenuous negotiations conducted over two and a half years under the auspices of a mediator provided by the Federal Mediation Board. The contract was ratified by a wide margin. The secret ballot ratification vote was conducted by Ballot Point.

The new agreement provides for wage progression increases based on length of service and cost of living increases based on work location that provide area wage adjustments as well as other considerations.

"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," said Local 109 President Dan McDade. AMC recently acquired Omniflight, which employs more than 300 helicopter pilots. Discussions on the conditions of their inclusion in the AMC bargaining unit will commence soon.

OPEIU Local 109 is affiliated with the Professional Helicopter Pilots Association (PHPA), a council within OPEIU, bringing together all of its 3,000 helicopter pilots with one voice.

ABOUT PHPA
The Professional Helicopter Pilots Association International (PHPA) is a professional, non-profit organization dedicated to improving air safety and protecting the interests of commercial helicopter pilots. PHPA promotes industry professionalism, education and training, and encourages professional helicopter pilots, the military and civilians of all flying disciplines to join together to represent and enforce the high standards, ideals and goals of the profession.

ABOUT OPEIU
The Office and Professional Employees International Union represents more than 125,000 members in the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada. OPEIU represents employees and independent contractors in banking and credit unions, insurance, higher education, shipping, hospitals, medical clinics, utilities, transportation, hotels, administrative offices and more.

Professional organizations and Guilds affiliated with OPEIU are a diverse group that includes physicians, pharmacists, chiropractors, appraisers, podiatrists, clinical social workers, hypnotists, teachers and helicopter pilots.

www.opeiu.org

SOURCE Office and Professional Employees International Union, AFL-CIO (OPEIU)