Arbitrator rules against Essex County’s proposed EMS sick time policy

An arbitrator has ruled Essex County can’t change its sick time policy for paramedics.

The county wanted to change the sick time policy, so employees would get only 75 per cent of their salary while off sick.

But an arbitrator has ruled the county can’t change the policy for its 280 paramedics.

The EMS staff members are represented by CUPE Local 29-74, the same union that represents the 58 librarians, who have been on strike for more than a month.

Union president Ian Nash says the issue is the main stumbling block for library staff.