A Gatineau ambulance is seen on a call on St. Joseph Blvd. in Gatineau, Que. Thursday, Nov. 8, 2012. (Darren Brown/QMI Agency)

Some 2,500 ambulance techs and paramedics in Quebec are poised to strike Monday night.

Last-minute talks broke down Sunday evening, which means the workers, represented by the CSN labour federation, could be on the picket line by 6 p.m. ET.

However, the ministry of health issued a statement Monday saying they are still negotiating with the union, assuring a strike may yet be averted.

While a strike would be a major headache for the provincial government, the public won't be left to fend for themselves. As an essential service, ambulance workers are required by law to provide emergency duties.

Instead, the strike will mostly affect administrative functions and intern training.

The union's collective agreement expired in March. The union voted 71% in favour of rejecting an agreement reached in July, sending both sides back to the bargaining table.

The government has yet to respond to CSN's latest offer.