While talks between CUPE Local 2974 and the County of Essex have ended without a deal, workers are no longer expected to be in a strike position this week. Local 2974 President James Jovanovic told reporters Wednesday the county’s ask for a Labour Board decision to be reconsidered has delayed their ability to strike. “We don’t know exactly when that will be finalized. Hopefully within the next couple of weeks, and then we’ve advised them that we intend on moving forward,” Jovanovic said. In July, the Ontario Labour Relations Board approved an Essential Ambulance Services Agreement for a 20 per cent reduction in services across Essex-Windsor EMS. Due to the request for reconsideration, Jovanovic said the county has been “unwilling to finalize the parameters” of the agreement. Talks remain stalled after meetings with a conciliator on Wednesday didn’t result in a deal. While a meeting was tentatively set for Aug. 10, Jovanovic alleged the county does not plan to meet at the table after the latest failed negotiations. Jovanovic said the county “reversed course” on a key provision they had previously approved. “So, they’ve been agreeable to it every step of the way since day two of negotiations, and now they just advised us that they have reversed course and are no longer agreeable to it,” he said. CTV News has reached out to the County of Essex for comment on negotiations but did not receive a response by the time of publication. As talks happened inside the County of Essex Administration Building, outside a rally was held to show support for the frontline workers. “I’m still trying to process what was taking place [in negotiations], but to come out to this group … seeing everybody having a good time, I’m encouraged by that,” Jovanovic said. A crowd of more than 150 people sat on the front lawn with food and signs of support. Attendees included residents, EMS workers, and some county politicians. Darlene Dessario, a retired ER trauma nurse paramedic, told CTV News she wanted to support those from her former career. “We need to do better because healthy and well-kept paramedics equals a healthy and well-kept community, and they got to stop hanging our medics out to dry,” Dessario said. As communities have begun to see higher rates of drug use and homelessness, she added paramedics have been required to respond to more complex cases. “They need a competitive wage. They need medical services themselves, they need more cars on the road, and they need more medics because it’s getting worse out there,” Dessario added. In recent months, there have been several meetings and negotiations between the county and the union, but still not enough progress for a deal. “We thought we were making good ground and with high hopes for this bargaining that we’re currently in, and that unfortunately hasn’t been the case,” said Scott Miller, an advanced care paramedic and the union’s EMS chair. While the value of paramedics was felt during the COVID-19 pandemic, Miller felt it was “quickly forgotten” when negotiations began. Over the past six months, Miller said morale has “dwindled” as workers have been pitted against management and county executives. “So right now the morale is low at the paramedic level, but amongst our ranks we’re emboldened and probably stronger than ever,” he added. Despite the process, Miller said it’s been uplifting to see support from residents across the region.
