PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – A new contract proposal was shot down by city paramedics Friday.

They voted 134-9 against the new contract that coincided with the city’s changes to place more rescue work in the hands of the fire bureau, KDKA’s news partner the Post-Gazette reported.

Union leaders were given the OK to call a strike, but they aren’t planning to do so right away.

Pittsburgh paramedics have been working without a contract for almost two years and the city’s efforts to reallocate emergency response duties have stunted the ability to secure a new one.

The changes were meant to improve efficiency by taking some responsibility from the EMS bureau and transfer it to the underutilized fire bureau.

Many other cities have already implemented similar plans and a financial recovery plan for the city from 2009 requires the change, according to the Post-Gazette.

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