News

Published March 3, 2023

Ontario Nurses' Association says bargaining with hospitals has broken down

The nurses' union started bargaining with the hospitals in late January
Nurses - CP

By Liam Casey in Toronto

Contract talks between nurses and the Ontario Hospital Association have broken down and will now head to arbitration, the nurses' union said Friday.

The two sides began bargaining in late January and mediation had started on Wednesday but no deal was reached.

"This round of negotiations has been incredibly difficult and frustrating,” said Bernie Robinson, interim president of the Ontario Nurses' Association. 

"ONA’s elected bargaining team went into talks with a strong and clear set of priorities that come from our front lines, and they have been met with an extremely disappointing and disrespectful response from the employers."

Arbitration is set for early May, the association said.

The nurses, and other broader public sector workers, have been subject for three years to a wage restraint law known as Bill 124, which capped increases at one per cent a year.

An Ontario court found Bill 124 unconstitutional late last year, but the government has appealed the decision. The Court of Appeal is set to hear the case in June. 

The Ontario Hospital Association did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Robinson said the union would have preferred to reach a deal through negotiations rather than arbitration.

"What counts is a contract that provides better staffing levels, wages and benefits, so that we can provide better patient care," Robinson said.

The deal will affect about 60,000 registered nurses and other health-care workers.

“The need to recruit and retain nurses is more urgent than it’s ever been," Robinson said. "Our nurses and health-care professionals are highly educated and valued by employers in other jurisdictions."

Emergency rooms across the province struggled last summer, with many closing for hours or even days at a time. 

Hospitals both big and small were affected but smaller, rural hospitals were hit particularly hard. A severe nursing shortage was the cause of many of those closures. 

Banner image: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 3, 2023.

What do you think of this article?
+1
0
+1
0
+1
0
+1
0
+1
0
+1
0
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Have a breaking story?

Share it with us!
Share Your Story

What Barrie's talking about!

From breaking news to the best slice of pizza in town! Get everything Barrie’s talking about delivered right to your inbox every day. Don’t worry, we won’t spam you. We promise :)
Subscription Form
Consent Info

By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: Central Ontario Broadcasting, 431 Huronia Rd, Barrie, Ontario, CA, https://www.cobroadcasting.com. You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact

Related Stories

Advertisement
Advertisement