Algoma Public Health Nurses Make Last-Ditch Effort to Avoid Being Forced out on Strike
SAULT STE. MARIE, ON, April 24, 2018 /CNW/ - As a legal strike/lock-out date of April 26 approaches, Algoma Public Health Nurses and Nurse Practitioner (NP) members are making a last-ditch effort to avoid being forced out on strike.
"Our dedicated nurses have had four days of negotiations and two days of conciliation, and tomorrow, the Ontario Nurses' Association (ONA) members' bargaining committee is in mediation with this employer," said Vicki McKenna, RN, ONA President. "As our members enter the second year of working without a contract, they have tried to remain optimistic that a negotiated settlement could be reached. Mediation is an opportunity to reach such an agreement and ensure the people of this community continue to benefit from their excellent services."
The public health nurses are the second-worst-paid in the area, and have been working without a contract since April 1, 2017. The highly educated and skilled nurses promote the health of the community, prevent illness and injury, and protect residents from communicable and infectious disease outbreaks. The nurses serve more than 114,000 residents – everyone from the smallest babies, to children and teenagers to seniors.
ONA and its members have urged the board of health to provide a bargaining mandate that respects and values the ONA members.
ONA is the union representing 65,000 registered nurses and health-care professionals, as well as 16,000 nursing student affiliates, providing care in hospitals, long-term care facilities, public health, the community, clinics and industry.
Visit us at: www.ona.org; Facebook.com/OntarioNurses; www.Twitter.com/OntarioNurses
SOURCE Ontario Nurses Association
Sheree Bond: (416) 964-8833, ext. 2430; cell: (416) 986-8240; [email protected]; Melanie Levenson, (416) 964-8833, ext. 2369; [email protected]
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