The Ontario Nurses Association says nurses have gone above and beyond the norm to negotiate a fair collective agreement with Hastings Prince Edward Public Health.
ONA Local 31 represents just over 50 registered nurses, public health nurses and registered practical nurses who could be on strike by August 18.
Bargaining unit president Josh Davidson Marcon says fair pay is what’s holding up a new contract and while they are willing to continue negotiations, the employer triggered the countdown to a strike when it filed for a no-board report.
“We did offer, which is unprecedented in a sector like ours, where we do have a right to strike, where we did offer a voluntary arbitration where there would be no stirke but an arbitrator would decide on what a fair contract would be. Unfortunately the employer declined that offer.”
“Our nurses really love this community and we work very hard to provide services for some of our most under-serviced community members. And our nurses were willing to give up that right to negotiate further just so we that we could continue to provide those services that we provide for the community.”
Davidson Marcon says the continued lack of respect from health employers and the government is making it very difficult for nurses everywhere to continue to do their jobs.
“We’re not just bargaining for today, we’re bargaining for the future and we have to protect the future nurses that are coming in here too because if the workplaces and the environment continues then there’s not going to be a safe workplace for them.”
Wednesday Hastings Prince Edward Public Health reported some services will be suspended as they work toward a new contract.
In a statement to Quinte News, the health unit says the health and well-being of its clients is a top priority and that they will not be speaking to the media at this time as details of negotiations are confidential.
Click here for a list of affected services.
