Local 43 Members Returns to Work Following Fight Over Physical Test
After taking time off because of a medical procedure, a Local 43 member and EMS professional with AMR of Akron, Ohio was told she couldn’t return to work without first passing a Physical Agility Test (PAT).
While a PAT is required by management in such cases, Local 43 President Chris Wheeler was surprised by the request because other employees who faced similar circumstances in the past were not required to pass such a test.
“I felt that management was discriminating against this member because of her age and gender,” said Local 43 President Chris Wheeler. “I immediately filed a grievance and requested she be allowed to return to work immediately.”
Upon filing the grievance, Wheeler began contacting fellow members who were willing to come forward and state they were never required to take a PAT following an absence of longer than 30 days.
“It became very obvious that none of the other members were forced to pass a PAT while facing similar circumstances,” said Wheeler. “When management became aware of the inconsistency in enforcing this policy, they immediately began to back off.”
Management ultimately allowed the member to return to work without taking a PAT, and Local 43 withdrew its grievance and subsequent information request.