Assignment:
The purpose of this assignment is for you to apply the concepts and information you learned in this unit about unionmanagement issues. Also, this assignment provides you with the opportunity to use your skills, expertise, and experience to enrich your response.
Scenario :
You just took over as the EMS leader on May 5, and you were handed a grievance regarding Paramedic Cochran. You reviewed the EMS Policy and Procedures outlined in the Professional EMS Workers Local 321, Step 2 Grievance, dated April 5, which was denied at Step 1. Additionally, you reviewed the written communications dated May 5 from Paramedic/Captain Jackson, as well as past precedents established by two other paramedics who allowed their Advance Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification to expire. Paramedic Cochran was placed on a "suspended without pay" basis for five days. However, he was allowed to remain as the only paramedic on the unit until overtime relief could be contacted and report for duty, which was approximately six hours later.
The first similar occurrence was three years previous, when Paramedic Jones invalidated her paramedic certification by not passing the ACLS recertification requirements. She was given eight days to present due cause as to why she should not be terminated from employment for failure to maintain the mandatory minimum job qualifications. She was placed on a "suspended with pay" basis pending review of potential termination. This was documented with a written suspension, and she was later terminated.
The second similar occurrence was two years previous, when Paramedic Kirk's ACLS certification expired, and he was placed on a "suspended without pay" basis until he could receive proper certification. This was documented with a written suspension.
Although all three of these occurrences are slightly different in nature, all three are still classified as failure to maintain the mandatory minimum job qualification to practice as a paramedic under the medical director's license. In addition, as documented in each occurrence, all three suspensions were handled differently. There are no extenuating circumstances documented in Cochran's grievance, dated April 5, that would give any other considerations to the grievance.
Discuss the case study thoroughly, using the union-management theories in this unit. Did Cochran do the right thing by writing the grievance? Why, or why not? What labor management concept might apply to this scenario?
Were all three previous actions appropriate based on what was written? Morally right? Briefly discuss how the actions may affect morale, productivity, and the willingness to co-operate with the agency? Could this become an explosive situation? Why, or why not?
Is there anything you think Paramedic Cochran should have or could have done differently? Support your answer.
Provide your responses in a Word document. The completed assignment must be a minimum of two pages in length, not including the title page and reference list. To supplement your discussion, you may use journal articles, case studies, scholarly papers, and other sites you may find pertinent.
You must use APA style guidelines when writing your paper. All sources used, including the textbook, must be referenced; paraphrased and quoted material must have accompanying citations.