The Ontario Labour Relations Board HAS ruled that Essex-Windsor EMS can reduce overall services by 20 per cent should a strike occur.
Earlier this year, paramedics voted 100 per cent in favour of strike action if an agreement cannot be reached with the County of Essex. The current collective agreement ended March 31, 2026.
"It's not necessarily transport ambulances off the road. But we offer other things. We offer community paramedicine where we respond to community members who are particularly at risk. So between all of our reductions it equates to about 20 per cent," said James Jovanovic, president of CUPE Local 2974. "We do anticipate that this will impact response time and the ability for the service to respond to the community."
In a statement to the media, the County of Essex said it was seeking a higher level of service if a strike were to occur.
"County administration and Essex-Windsor EMS are reviewing the decision and will continue planning to maximize available ambulance resources and maintain reliable emergency medical services to the greatest extent possible within the framework established by the Board," read the statement.
At this time, EMS continues to operate normally.
The union can file for a No Board report which would trigger a 17 day waiting period before a strike can occur.
Essex-Windsor EMS and the County of Essex have agreed to set bargaining dates in August.
"The County remains committed to the collective bargaining process and to reaching a fair, sustainable and negotiated agreement.," the statement from the County continued.
Jovanovic said the union is looking to have meaningful discussions.
"We've been sounding the alarm for years on Code Blacks, on the down staffing of ambulances; there's a staffing crisis for paramedics taking place across the province and right now we're not able to recruit or retain the necessary paramedics to maintain the level of service necessary for an ageing and increasing population," said Jovanovic.
