Listen and subscribe to Backstory on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Amazon Music, YouTube or wherever you get podcasts.

In 2022, paramedics at Bangs Ambulance voted to unionize. Progressive activists and elected officials at the time cheered the effort. But the vote was close. And as far as union negotiations go, the four years since haven’t always been smooth sailing.

It was only this summer that the union finally reached an agreement with the family that owns the longtime ambulance company. Workers voted to ratify it in July, with virtually no public fanfare.

What does it mean for Ithaca’s main EMS provider … and the people who depend on them?

Access a time-stamped transcript by clicking the button with three lines on the embedded player. For a full page transcript, click here. The transcript is auto-generated and may contain errors.

Produced, hosted and edited by Megan Zerez. Reported by Hailea Potter. Additional reporting by Megan Zerez, Matt Butler and Jimmy Jordan. Cover art photo by Casey Martin.