As negotiations with two unions representing paramedics, clerical and childcare workers continue this week, the Region of Waterloo says it's working to determine the number of staff required to meet the obligations of the Essential Ambulance Services Agreement (EASA) should negotiations fail.
The EASA requires the municipality to maintain ambulance service, among other details, in compliance with the Ambulance Services Collective Bargaining Act and the contingency must be in place prior to the commencement of a legal strike.
"We value our relationships with all bargaining units and these relationships are key to ensuring the residents of Waterloo Region receive world class, critical services every day," states a press release.
The region says it will also not prohibit staff from crossing a picket line to work should an agreement not be reached with CUPE 1883, the union representing full-time office, clerical and technical employees.
CUPE 5191 represents members who are full-time and part-time paramedics and logistics staff in the Regional Municipality of Waterloo's paramedic service.
The unions represent more than 1,200 workers across the region, both of which will be in a legal strike position on July 24 after filing for a “No-Board report” June 30 that initiated a countdown to a strike or a lockout.
The region says it remains committed to reaching an agreement with both unions.
If a strike does move forward, the region says four municipally operated child care centres, the Christopher Children's Centre, Kinsmen Children's Centre, Edith MacIntosh Children's Centre, and the Elmira Children’s Centre, will have to close.
