Essex-Windsor EMS staff have until noon Tuesday to vote on their tentative deal

Final hours: Essex-Windsor EMS union members vote until noon today on the tentative deal, the local's president told AM800. It covers 300+ paramedics and support staff. The County ratified Oct. 7. Terms stay private for now.

Topics: Health

Get these every Sunday: the free Windsor News weekly digest.

More than 300 paramedics and support staff with Essex-Windsor EMS are in the final day of voting on a tentative contract with the County of Essex. The members belong to CUPE Local 2974.2, the County says.

When voting closes

CUPE Local 2974 president James Jovanovic told AM800 News on Oct. 7 that information meetings would be held Thursday and Friday to walk members through the deal. Voting opened after the Friday evening meeting and stays open until Tuesday, Oct. 13, at 12 p.m. Jovanovic said the union wanted everyone to have a chance to review the deal and vote over the Thanksgiving weekend.

Where things stand

Essex County Council ratified the tentative agreement on Oct. 7. AM800 reported that the approval came during a closed session that afternoon. The County's bargaining team endorsed the agreement, and the union's bargaining team is recommending that members ratify it, the County said in its release.

The agreement still needs the members' approval before it takes effect. The County says it will not release any details until the ratification process is complete, so the wages and other terms are not public.

Background

The two sides reached the tentative deal after talks broke down and the union said its members could strike as early as Oct. 9. Jovanovic told AM800 that the deal came together after the County reached out to the union late on Monday, Oct. 5.

Windsor News will report the result of the member vote once the union or the County announces it.