There’s a tentative agreement between the County of Essex and the union representing about 340 paramedics with Essex-Windsor EMS. CUPE Local 2974 President James Jovanovic told AM800 News the tentative deal came together yesterday after the county reached out to the union. “Right now things are looking optimistic. We do have a verbal agreement between the parties,” said Jovanovic. “The employer reached out to the union late yesterday afternoon. We kind of finalized some details throughout the night and came to an agreement kind of late into the evening.” Paramedics were set to strike as early as Friday morning after negotiations last Friday ended without a deal. “We just have to work out some minor details today, we’ll sign off and then it will go to [county] council on Wednesday for approval and to the members for ratification,” Jovanovic added. Money and working conditions, including staffing levels, were among the key issues in the contract dispute. No date has been set for the paramedics to vote on the tentative agreement, but Jovanovic said the union is recommending acceptance.
