Essex-Windsor EMS is one step closer to strike action after failing to reach a deal through conciliation last week.
According to CUPE Local 2974, representing local paramedics, the two sides were too far apart for the conciliator to make progress.
Another day of conciliation talks is scheduled for May 8.
"The conciliator made it clear that the parties are far enough apart where if there is no movement by the county or the next and final day will likely be cancelled," said CUPE Local 2974 President James Jovanovic.
Jovanovic said in addition to compensation requests to keep up with the provincial standard, the union is looking for measures to stabilize the service overall.
"Proper mental health supports, addressing our benefits and sick time issues that help support staff so that way they are less likely to go off, and when they do go off they can return more quickly. This helps keep the entire system stable," said Jovanovic.
While Jovanovic said there have been fewer Code Black scenarios, where no ambulances are available for call, resources are still stretched thin.
"We have ambulances taken off the road daily because of a lack of staff to fill them. Our regular allocation of ambulances, or regular deployment, we're not able to meet that base level," said Jovanovic.
The current contract ended March 31, 2026.
Jovanovic indicated the union is looking to councillors to give County of Essex administration direction to continue negotiations with the conciliator during its May 6 council meeting.
If a deal is not reached, the union will go to the Ontario Labour Relations Board at the end of June.
The union will not be in a strike position until a ruling from the OLRB is made, likely sometime in July.
Because EMS is considered an essential service, there will not be a total work stoppage but a reduction of services.
"Let's say you have 25 ambulances on the road on any given day as part of your normal allocation and allotment, in a strike position, that number would be reduced, that can be anywhere from 20 to 30 to 40 per cent," said Jovanovic.
Officials from the County of Essex would not provide comment on the latest round of negotiations. However, the following statement was posted online in March.
"The County remains committed to bargaining in good faith to reach an agreement that reflects the value of our paramedics, maintains competitive compensation, and is fiscally responsible to the taxpayers of our Region."
