Restraining order extended in paramedic benefits case

A Common Pleas Court judge Thursday extended until Nov. 1 a temporary restraining order allowing city paramedics to continue receiving health-care benefits from Local 22 of the International Association of Fire Fighters.

Judge Paul P. Panepinto ordered the extension at the request of the Nutter administration and the firefighters union, who agreed to continue discussions to break an impasse on the status of paramedics.

Panepinto's order, entered last Friday, prevents the administration from shifting about 220 paramedics into the health-care plan that covers independent city employees. The city moved to switch the paramedics' benefits after a ruling by the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board that paramedics were not members of Local 22.