The president of the union representing paramedics with Essex Windsor EMS is hopeful as contract talks continue.
"I'm still very optimistic, both sides are committed to continuing bargaining and reaching a fair deal," said James Jovanovic, CUPE Local 2497 president.
Late last month, union members voted 100 per cent in favour of strike action.
The union is calling on the employer to invest more to address staff shortages and improve wages so that local paramedics receive pay in line with other paramedics throughout the province.
"What we're looking for is a path forward to address systemic issues that are leading to our understaffing. Now, part of that is being able to be comparable and competitive with other EMS services in the province," said Jovanovic.
No strike action will be taken until a meeting with the Ontario Labour Board in April. At the meeting, the board will decide what a strike by members of the Essex Windsor EMS could look like.
"Even though we are not legislated as an essential service, there's still limitations on what we can and cannot do in work action. So it governs that there can be a reduction of services up to and including a 75 per cent reduction in paramedics," said Jovanovic.
Jovanovic said despite the results of the strike vote, no one wants to strike.
"This is reflective of front-line responders recognizing inefficiencies in a sector that is trending in the wrong direction. We want to correct those issues to improve the level of care that our communities are receiving," said Jovanovic.
