February 14, 2012 Dear fellow coworkers, Several months ago, a majority of us at Rural/Metro in Santa Clara County signed

petition cards calling for a new union election. Now, today and Wednesday, we finally have the chance to choose what kind of voice we have for our future. Our decision comes down to this: We either continue to struggle alone with an unknown contract and a lack of representation from our current union, or we move forward together as a strong union built on accountability and democracy. The opportunity to have both a union where we elect our own leaders and set our priorities together and the national resources to get things done is why we decided to form our own local of United EMS Workers with AFSCME. Our decision was reinforced when we had the opportunity to meet EMS workers from FDNY who shared their firsthand experience of 35 years of winning with AFSCME. We are voting for local unity and national strength. Please continue reading below for more facts about our local, United EMS Workers- AFSCME. Sincerely,

Jason Brollini Rural/Metro in Santa Clara County

Ellyn OHalloran Rural/Metro in Santa Clara County

Marci Bostic Rural/Metro in Santa Clara County

Samantha Tennison Rural/Metro in Santa Clara County

Robert D. Quevedo Rural/Metro in Santa Clara County

Corey Maciel Rural/Metro in Santa Clara County

Randa Romstad Rural/Metro in Santa Clara County

Andrea Ricks Rural/Metro in Santa Clara County

Nancy Acker Rural/Metro in Santa Clara County

Jocelyn Paulson Rural/Metro in Santa Clara County

Here are some additional facts:

The terms and conditions under the Transition Agreement with Rural/Metro are protected under law and cannot be unilaterally changed by the employer when we switch unions pay and benefits may not be changed or reduced. (Status Quo Section 8(a) 5 of the NLRA)

The dues formula is the same as our current dues formula but most funds will remain with the Local for representational needs such as grievances, arbitrations, and hiring competent labor representatives. The difference comes back to us as general support from the National Union for critical needs.

RM SCCO will elect a Director with a seat, a voice, and a vote on the Board of United EMS Workers. Our stewards and bargaining team elections will occur within a reasonable time of our certification, and we will schedule bargaining dates with the employer immediately after NLRB certification. Only RM SCCO members can elect, approve, or remove our stewards.

Members will approve the United EMS Worker Bylaws, and the Bylaws can only be changed or modified with member approval. As United EMS Workers/AFSCME, we all have a say. The members of any bargaining unit must ratify any tentative agreements, interim agreements, and CBAs of any kind negotiated, prior to implementation. Financial statements of the Local will be available to any member upon request.

AFSCMEs other EMS locals work with the EMS Labor Alliance to resolve EMS issues at the Federal level, such as the promotion of and support for a federal lead agency for EMS. With 1.6 million members, AFSCME, our union, is already providing us with the resources to build a strong local, including legal representation and research. After we vote for United EMS Workers/AFSCME, the national union will help our elected Board of Directors create a budget and structure that is focused on our representational needs.