Friday, 17 July 2026, 7:03
Essex-Windsor Emergency Medical Services (EMS) is one step closer to a potential strike after the Ontario Labour Relations Board approved a 20% reduction in services during any labor disruption. The decision sets the stage for critical negotiations between the County of Essex and CUPE Local 2974, the union representing about 340 paramedics.
The Board’s ruling, issued in mid-July 2026, permits an overall 20% reduction across all Essex-Windsor EMS services, not just frontline ambulances. The County of Essex had sought a higher level of service but said it respects the decision. Union president James Jovanovic described the ruling as “bittersweet,” noting it brings the union closer to possible labor action while completing a necessary procedural step. Jovanovic explained that the reduction applies to various services, including community paramedicine, and not solely transport ambulances. He anticipates that the reduction will impact response times and the service's ability to respond to the community.
CUPE Local 2974 and the county have scheduled three bargaining dates, the first on August 5. However, Jovanovic warned that the union will cancel those dates if the County of Essex does not receive council approval to improve its current offer. “Without that direction, we’ll have to unfortunately move forward with the process towards a labor action,” he said. The union has been without a new collective agreement since conciliation ended on May 8. Jovanovic noted that Wednesday’s Essex County council meeting will be critical, as county administration needs council approval to improve its previous offer. He added that the County of Essex has not provided an offer that even maintains pace with other agreements in Ontario.
Paramedics have long raised concerns about staffing shortages, growing call volumes, and burnout. Jovanovic emphasized that accepting a below-market deal would worsen local deficiencies, including down-staffed ambulances and code blacks—periods when no ambulances are available. “There’s a staffing crisis for paramedics taking place across the province,” he said. The union argues that competitive wages are essential for recruitment and retention in an aging and growing population. Jovanovic reiterated that the union has been sounding the alarm for years on code blacks and down-staffing, and that the current situation makes it difficult to recruit and retain necessary paramedics.
While this dispute is in Ontario, Canada, it mirrors challenges faced by California EMS agencies, particularly in San Bernardino County. Similar staffing shortages, high call volumes, and labor disputes have affected services in rural and urban areas of the county. California’s emergency medical services often grapple with code blacks and response time delays, highlighting a shared concern across North American paramedic systems.
The current collective agreement for Essex-Windsor paramedics expired on March 31, 2026. In early 2026, union members voted 100% in favor of strike action if no deal is reached. The Essential Ambulance Services Agreement process, governed by the Ontario Labour Relations Board, determines minimum staffing levels during a strike to ensure public safety. The union can file for a No Board report, which would trigger a 17-day waiting period before a strike can occur.
With bargaining set for August 5, the next few weeks are critical. If the County of Essex fails to present an improved offer, the union will file a No Board Report, triggering a 17-day countdown to a potential strike. Residents are advised to monitor developments as negotiations could impact emergency response times. The County of Essex stated it remains committed to the collective bargaining process and to reaching a fair, sustainable, and negotiated agreement.
