Tulsa city council appears ready to allow the city's 911 operators to unionize

Tuesday, April 19th 2005, 11:03 am

By: News On 6

The Tulsa city council appears ready to let the cityâ€™s 911 operators join a union. The employees think they're overworked and underpaid - and that a union might help their situation.

News on 6 reporter Emory Bryan says a group of Tulsa's 911 operators watched the council debate whether or not they should be allowed to join a union. The council seems ready to let it happen. The city calls them "emergency communicators" - and starts them out at $10 an hour.

Because of chronic understaffing - they're working longer hours than many of them want. Amanda: â€œI work 3 PM to 3 AM four days of my five days a week, it's very draining." A union for government employees is ready to take them in.

The council debate on 911 employees got sidetracked Tuesday over whether all other city employees should be allowed to unionize. The mayor doesn't want to go that far, yet. Mayor Bill LaFortune: â€œI would not oppose and would support an ordinance to allow the EC's to unionize, just that group.

The 911 operators are the only public safety employees who aren't already in a union. Amanda: "I want representation.â€

The city council votes Thursday on the union for 911 workers and could consider a broader plan to unionize more city workers - soon.