EMS strike clock: no deal, deadline now Oct. 8

The County of Essex says CUPE Local 2974.2 moved its strike deadline to Oct. 8. The union told CBC a strike is likely Oct. 9. Keep calling 911.

Talks with a conciliator ended Friday, Oct. 2 without an agreement, the County of Essex says.

The County says CUPE Local 2974.2 moved its strike deadline from Oct. 5 to Oct. 8, to line up with the labour board's deadline for an Essential Ambulance Services Agreement. The County says it has offered to settle all outstanding issues through binding interest arbitration to avoid a labour disruption.

"We're 100 per cent now moving towards a strike," union president James Jovanovic told CBC Windsor. He said Oct. 9 is the likely strike date, with a final decision by Monday.

If there is a strike, the County says six fewer ambulances would run during the day and three fewer overnight, and Community Paramedicine would be temporarily suspended.

Essex County Council meets Oct. 7. Jovanovic told CBC council could still instruct staff to settle on the union's terms. Residents should keep calling 9-1-1 for medical emergencies.