Possible Essex-Windsor EMS and county labour disruption moves closer

The County of Essex and the head of the union representing Essex-Windsor EMS staff have both issued statements regarding a No Board Report.

The two parties are negotiating a new collective agreement and the county issued a statement July 21, shortly after a news release was issued by CUPE 2974.

“The County acknowledges that a No Board Report has been issued as part of the collective bargaining process,” the county’s statement reads. “The issuance of a No Board Report is a procedural step established under Ontario’s labour legislation and marks another stage in the bargaining process, but with other steps being required before the parties would be in a legal strike or lockout position. It does not prevent the parties from continuing with negotiations, and the County looks forward to more discussions with the Union. Essex-Windsor EMS continues to operate normally.”

The County of Essex added: “Public safety remains the County’s highest priority. The County is committed to the collective bargaining process and reaching a fair, sustainable and negotiated agreement.”

The union had put out its own media advisory earlier that day.

CUPE stated that after six months of negotiations, it failed to resolve “chronic staffing challenges at Essex-Windsor EMS” and that the union requested a No Board Report the previous week from the Ontario Minister of Labour. CUPE 2974 says  that brings the possibility of legal strike action closer.

“We’ve been at the table for months, worked through a conciliator and repeatedly sought opportunities to ensure council understood what was at stake, but we’re still fighting for the working conditions needed to stabilize Essex-Windsor EMS and protect the emergency medical service the community depends on,” said James Jovanovic, president of CUPE 2974.

CUPE 2974 represents 340 paramedics, logistics and support staff. “This bargaining round is about keeping experienced paramedics in the profession, supporting their mental health and ensuring residents receive the emergency care they deserve.”

Union members voted unanimously to authorize strike action earlier this year, a move they say was driven by ongoing recruitment and retention challenges and wages “that lag comparable ambulance services and other first responders.”

The union contends that 25 per cent of its members experience PTSD or depression and 28 per cent suffer from insomnia.

With the No Board Report, it started a 17-day countdown before either party is in a legal strike or lockdown position. 

“We became paramedics to respond to emergencies, not walk picket lines,” Jovanovic stated in the media release. “We have done everything possible to avoid reaching this point. Residents deserve an ambulance service that can recruit and keep experienced paramedics. There is still time to secure that future, but it will require council and management to act at the bargaining table.”

Earlier in July, the Ontario Labour Relations Board issued a decision that would require both parties to incorporate its ruling into a final essential services agreement. The terms, once implemented, would see an overall service reduction of roughly 20 per cent while maintaining essential ambulance coverage.

Possible Essex-Windsor EMS and county labour disruption moves closer

By RTT Staff