Rapid Response Feedback Report: USW Led Critical Victory to Protect LA’s EMS System

Click here to download this Feedback Report as a PDF.

On Wednesday, November 12, USW members secured a major victory at the Los Angeles City Council – protecting the city’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) ordinance and winning the essential rate increase needed to keep ambulance services safe, stable, and fair for working families.

For months, our union has led the fight against a dangerous push to deregulate private EMS. Deregulation would have handed control to insurance companies, threatened the jobs of more than 500 USW members, and undermined reliable ambulance service for communities across Los Angeles.

Solidarity Made This Win Possible!

USW Local 12-911 President Lee Almeida delivered powerful testimony, backed by a strong turnout of other USW members. Labor allies, community partners, and organizations also stood with us, demonstrating broad support for maintaining a regulated system that protects workers and ensures equitable care across the city.

Most importantly, USW members across California stepped up. By taking action through Rapid Response, you helped push city leaders to stand with frontline EMS professionals and reject dangerous deregulation efforts backed by major insurance companies. Your emails, calls, and solidarity showed exactly what it means to fight for good jobs and safe communities.

“USW members knew what was on the line and stood united to stop outside interests from taking over LA’s EMS system. This victory protects hundreds of good union jobs and ensures decisions about emergency services remain focused on workers and the communities they serve.”
– USW District 12 Director, Gaylan Prescott

For more information on this issue or how you can get more involved with Rapid Response, please contact District 12 Rapid Response Coordinator, Catherine Houston, at chouston@usw.org.