County of Essex & Essex-Windsor EMS reach tentative new agreement

While the deal has to be ratified by both sides, it appears the County of Essex and Essex-Windsor EMS have averted a strike.

The two sides reached a tentative deal late Monday night, just days before a strike deadline of Friday. Talks had broken off last Friday evening (Oct.2), which led to both sides outlining their positions, but things had changed as of Tuesday morning.

CUPE 2974 president James Jovanovic confirmed the tentative contract was reached, stating it provides a “sense of relief” for paramedics and staff. In all, the union represents 340 workers with Essex-Windsor EMS.

“It was a long, hard fought process,” said Jovanovic. 

Jovanovic said they went from painting picket signs to getting a new contract in a matter of hours.

“It’s a good feeling,” he said.

According to Jovanovic, it was the County of Essex that had reached out Monday looking to negotiate. He said it came out of the blue as the union wasn’t expecting to negotiate with the county that day, but the union was asked if their final offer from last Friday (Oct. 2) was still on the table.

The offer from the Oct. 2 negotiations “formed the framework” of the tentative new deal and both sides made alterations to that before the deal was reached.

“We had a verbal agreement by 10 p.m.,” Jovanovic told the River Town Times Tuesday morning. 

Jovanovich said they were not sure what prompted the county to come forward, but the union suspects it may have been the amount of public support the Essex-Windsor EMS staff were receiving.

“We’re hoping to get it signed today,” Jovanovic said Tuesday morning. 

Essex-Windsor EMS staff and supporters were expected to go to the Essex County council meeting tonight (Oct. 7) looking for elected officials to request that county administration return to the bargaining table. Instead, the tentative agreement is expected to go before county council Wednesday night for a vote.

On the CUPE 2974.2 side, they are planning to hold information sessions this Thursday and Friday, with a ratification vote to occur after Friday’s information session.

Jovanovic said other than monetary issues, the union was looking for improved working conditions, stability in the local EMS system, additional mental health supports and for the county to address issues around recruitment and retention.

As the tentative deal had not been signed as of Tuesday morning, Jovanovic was reluctant to get into specifics publicly, but said they were happy to get a tentative contract.

“We’re excited,” he said. “Nobody really wanted a strike.”

The County of Essex confirmed the tentative deal in a statement Tuesday morning. 

“The County of Essex has reached a tentative three-year agreement with Essex-Windsor EMS paramedics and support staff represented by CUPE Local 2974.2,” the county’s statement reads. “The agreement would take effect retroactively to April 1, 2026, following the expiry of the previous collective agreement. Details of the agreement are not being released until the ratification process is complete. The bargaining committees for both the County and CUPE Local 2974.2 are recommending ratification of the tentative agreement. County council will consider the agreement Wednesday night.”

“Essex-Windsor EMS paramedics and support staff provide an essential service to our community every day, often under extraordinarily challenging circumstances, and this tentative agreement reflects the importance of that work,” said County of Essex CAO Sandra Zwiers said in the statement. “We are pleased that the two sides have reached a tentative agreement and I want to thank everyone involved for the time and effort they have devoted to the bargaining process.”

Essex-Windsor EMS Chief Justin Lammers said reaching a tentative agreement provides an opportunity to move forward together with a renewed focus on supporting the paramedics and support staff who work every day to deliver high-quality emergency medical services to residents of Windsor, Essex County and Pelee Island.

CUPE Local 2974.2 represents more than 300 employees with Essex-Windsor EMS, the county confirmed, adding the tentative agreement remains subject to ratification by both county council and CUPE Local 2974.2 members.

County of Essex & Essex-Windsor EMS reach tentative new agreement

By Ron Giofu