The owners of Fewer’s Ambulance and the union that represents its workers nearly have an essential ambulance service agreement worked out, but there are a few sticking points that are dragging out the process.

Members with Teamsters Local 855 went on strike back in January. A few days later, government passed legislation deeming the workers essential, thus forcing them back to work.

Before strike action can resume both sides must negotiate an essential ambulance service agreement, which basically outlines who will have to stay on the job when a strike takes place.

Business manager at the union, Hubert Dawe, says talks got off to a rocky start, but once they got down to business things began moving quickly.

He says they have a few outstanding items left to iron out, which require a legal opinion before they can move forward.

Dawe says they center around workers’ rights.

He explains that going on strike voids a collective agreement. But, in this case essential workers will not be going on strike, and the union contends they should still be covered by the contract. He says Fewer’s disagrees, and they believe the contract should be void.