The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 2974 in Windsor-Essex County, Ontario, has initiated the arbitration process in its legal challenge against mandatory COVID vaccine mandates in the workplace. The union, representing paramedics and emergency medical services (EMS) personnel, has expressed its strong opposition to these mandates and is determined to fight against what it considers to be coercive and contradictory policies. CUPE Paramedics of Windsor-Essex has been providing updates on social media throughout the arbitration process. The union argues that an asymptomatic, unvaccinated individual who tests negative for COVID is safer in the workplace than a vaccinated person who tests positive. The union also questions the employer’s argument that rapid antigen testing is equally intrusive as receiving the vaccine. The Chief of Essex-Windsor EMS, Bruce Krauter, has not responded to requests for comment. In the past, the union has criticized vaccine mandates, referring to them as a “beautiful, fantastical lie” and accusing supporters of having a propensity for evil. However, the union’s president clarified that those comments were meant ironically. The union has consistently advocated for the individual’s right to choose whether or not to get vaccinated, defending the rights of unvaccinated workers even as many members have chosen to get vaccinated themselves. The union believes that vaccine mandates have damaged public trust and should have been approached with compassion and respect, allowing individuals to make their own decisions free from coercion. The union also highlights the challenges faced by EMS personnel even before the mandates, including a shortage of ambulances and paramedics.