No resolution yet in ambulance contract talks

Record-Journal report

MERIDEN In late June, the International Association of EMTs and Paramedics Local 294 warned its employees of a potential strike after it failed to reach a contract with Hunter’s Ambulance and parent company Hartford HealthCare. Negotiations regarding the contract for 215 unionized workers have been ongoing for a year and a half.

Hunter’s Ambulance management informed municipal leaders in its service area that it has a contingency plan should the paramedics and EMTs vote to strike.

“We are in a deadlock with Hartford HealthCare over its (mandatory overtime) policy, wages and safety,” said Peter Zera, an EMT and representative of the International Association of EMTs and Paramedics Local 294. “We’re just preparing our members for what to expect should we have to go down that road. We’re still bargaining. They (HHC) have the power to stop this.”

Hunter’s Ambulance services Meriden, Berlin, Middletown and Middlefield and provides mutual aid to Wallingford, Portland and Cromwell.

See Ambulance talks, A7

Recently, Durham Middlefield Youth and Family Services concluded a week-long STEM program for local youngsters. STEM is an umbrella term used to group together the distinct but related technical disciplines of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. “Thank you to the counselors for all your hard work and boundless energy and, of course, to the kids who participated in our FIRST Summer STEM Program Mess Mania!,” DMYS stated on social media. “We loved seeing your smiling faces all week, and we hope you had as much fun as we did.” by Nicole Zappone, Town Times

Green Day

Middlefield Connects’ Second Annual Golf Tournament, held June 24 at Indian Springs in Middlefield, generated funds for the Durham and Middlefield Girl and Cub Scouts program. Middlefield Connects was started by resident Michael Janis as a way to support local causes. Janis is pictured interviewing Scouts Carley and Alex Hansen at the 2023 golf outing. Asked what their favorite thing about scouting is, Alex loudly proclaimed, “Ice cream!” Read more about the Middlefield Connects’ golf tournament inside.