The Ontario Nurses’ Association (ONA) announced on Friday, March 3 that talks between their Hospital Central Negotiating Team and their employers had broken down and would be moving to arbitration in May.
“This round of negotiations has been incredibly difficult and frustrating,” said ONA Interim Provincial President Bernie Robinson, RN. “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. Nurses are fed up with this government and employers expressing appreciation for the work we do, while simultaneously failing to provide working conditions that truly show the value of what we do each day.”
Both sides had been in negotiations since early February, but after a month of talks, ONA stated that little had been accomplished.
“We have reached some agreement on very minor issues but we are only now entering into the exchange of proposals when it comes to monetary issues,” Robinson said on February 23.
The striking down of Bill 124 gives confidence and hope to unions
ONA and other public sector unions see now as their chance to make up for years of wage suppression under Bill 124.
Passed by Premier Doug Ford in 2019, Bill 124 restricted compensation increases to one per cent annually for all provincial public employees in Ontario. This includes all forms of compensation from wage increases to paid time off.
READ MORE: Bill 124 decision a victory in fighting Ford’s “manufactured crises”
Bill 124 was struck down as unconstitutional by Ontario’s Superior Court as it restricts a workers right to bargain with their employer.
This latest round of negotiations between ONA and their employer were made possible by the Bill 124 decision as it allowed them to re-open an agreement imposed on the union under that law.
Ford’s Bill 124 directly led to overcrowded hospital emergency rooms staffed by overworked nurses and other health professionals because it actively discouraged workers from joining the public health care workforce.
“Many nurses are leaving their jobs because of the intolerable working conditions,” said Robinson. “They are leaving because their wages have been eroded by three years of Ford’s unconstitutional wage cap and rising cost of living, while hospitals use private, for-profit nursing agencies that cost taxpayers two to three times more than public-sector nurses. A better contract means we can retain, recruit and attract nurses back to the system.”
Nurses rally sees high levels of solidarity and support
ONA held their second “all-out picket” on Thursday, March 2 at different locations across the province, including in front of the Sheraton Hotel in Toronto where negotiations with the OHA were taking place.
“All ordinary people should be out because all ordinary people use these hospitals,” said Nira Dookeran, the Green Party of Ontario candidate for Ottawa South at one of the picket locations on February 23.
Other unions also came out to show their support for the fight that ONA is currently undertaking including the Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation (OSSTF) and the Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario (ETFO).
Arbitration between ONA and their employers is expected to begin on May 2. ONA represents over 68,000 nurses and other healthcare professionals.
Support rabble today!
We’re so glad you stopped by! Thanks for consuming rabble content this year.
rabble.ca is 100% reader and donor funded, so as an avid reader of our content, we hope you will consider gifting rabble with a donation during our summer fundraiser today.
Whether it be a one-time donation or a small monthly contribution, your support is critical to keep rabble writers producing the work you’ve come to rely on as a part of a healthy media diet.
Become a rabble rouser — donate to rabble.ca today.
Nick Seebruch, editor
