A planned strike by Windsor-Essex paramedics has been put on hold indefinitely. Paramedics were prepared to walk off the job under an Essential Ambulance Services Agreement that would have allowed ambulance service levels to be reduced by up to 20 per cent. The union says negotiations took a step backward this week. “The employer reversed course on what was otherwise agreeable to them, and it was one of the key top two provisions in the negotiations,” said James Jovanovic, president of CUPE Local 2974. “They’ve been agreeable to it every step of the way since day two of negotiations, and now they’ve advised us they have reversed course and are no longer agreeable to it.” About 340 Windsor-Essex paramedics have been without a new contract since May 8. They were set to be in a legal strike position Saturday. However, the union says the County of Essex is challenging the terms of the Essential Ambulance Services Agreement and has asked the Ontario Labour Relations Board to reconsider its ruling. That request has put any strike action on hold indefinitely. The labour board is accepting submissions from both sides this week, with a decision expected in the coming weeks. The union argues the county’s request will only delay the bargaining process. It also says contract talks were scheduled to resume Monday, but alleges the county has since cancelled those negotiations. “Out of respect for the collective bargaining process, the County of Essex has no comment at this time. We have posted an FAQ on our website,” the county said in a statement.
