Windsor-Essex Paramedics Unanimously Vote for Strike Amid Staffing Crisis
In a dramatic show of unity, paramedics represented by CUPE Local 2974 in Windsor-Essex have voted 100 percent in favor of authorizing a strike. The decision comes as a direct response to what the union describes as chronic short-staffing and unsafe working conditions at Essex-Windsor EMS, with negotiations set to resume on February 23.
A System Under Severe Strain
The union, which represents approximately 320 paramedics, revealed that the emergency service is currently short roughly 50 frontline staff. This significant gap is critically affecting service levels for the region's approximately 400,000 residents. According to operational standards, proper daytime coverage requires 28 ambulances on the road, with 22 needed overnight. However, due to insufficient staffing, approved vehicles are frequently left idle, drastically reducing emergency response capacity across Windsor-Essex.
"These conditions are not sustainable for paramedics or for patient care," stated union president James Jovanovic. "These jobs are incredibly taxing, and we deal with trauma every day. We simply cannot provide critical care if we are short staffed. When ambulances are off the road and paramedics are pushed beyond their limits, the entire community feels the impact."
Alarming Mental Health Statistics and Burnout
The union highlighted recent independent research conducted by the University of Windsor and the University of Toronto, which examined the wellbeing of local paramedics. The findings are deeply concerning:
- 25 percent of paramedics report experiencing PTSD and depression.
- 28 percent report suffering from insomnia.
- 9 percent stated they had suicidal thoughts in the previous 14 days.
"Paramedics are burning out faster than the system can replace them," Jovanovic emphasized. "Basic recovery time is becoming harder to protect. Too many members are working extended shifts, excessive overtime, and high-acuity calls without the relief they need. That is not a recruitment strategy — it's a recipe for collapse."
Provincial Recruitment and Retention Challenges
CUPE 2974 asserts that the staffing crisis in Windsor-Essex reflects broader recruitment and retention challenges across Ontario. Service data indicates that staffing levels in the region are regularly more than 10 percent below requirements. During a specific two-week period in September and October 2025, the service recorded 1,481 hours of shortages, representing over 12 percent of total operations.
The union has proposed a series of measures focused on recruitment, retention, and burnout prevention at the bargaining table. These proposals include wage and benefit improvements that the union argues better reflect the essential role of paramedics as first responders.
Essential Service Designation and Next Steps
While Essex-Windsor EMS is designated an essential service—meaning any potential job action would be structured to ensure public safety—the overwhelming strike vote sends a powerful message to employers. The union hopes this mandate will spur meaningful negotiations to address the systemic issues plaguing the emergency medical service.
The situation is expected to worsen as the population of Windsor-Essex continues to grow and age, placing even greater demand on an already strained system. The upcoming negotiations on February 23 will be crucial in determining whether a strike can be averted and if sustainable solutions can be implemented to support both paramedics and the community they serve.
