Public Health Nurses Are Pillars in the Community; Hoping To Avoid Another Strike
HALDIMAND-NORFOLK, ON, May 28, 2018 /CNW/ - Ontario Nurses' Association (ONA) public health nurses working in the counties of Haldimand and Norfolk return to bargaining on June 7, hoping to avoid being forced to withdraw services.
The 33 ONA members – including Public Health Nurses, Registered Nurses and Registered Practical Nurses – have been seeking a new contract from Norfolk County following the expiration of their previous contract last December 31.
"Our dedicated and highly educated members are vital to the health and well-being of this great community," notes ONA President Vicki McKenna, RN. "I truly hope that the employer demonstrates the respect that our members -- and our community -- deserve."
Haldimand-Norfolk Public Health Nurses provide vital services including Health Babies/Healthy Children, Well-baby Drop-in, breastfeeding support, immunization, infection control, chronic disease prevention, health equity, school health services including mental health support and sexual health services. RPNs provide vaccine preventable disease services in schools. Public Health Nurses provide services in three office locations and within the homes of members of our community across Haldimand and Norfolk Counties.
In 2012, Haldimand-Norfolk Public Health Nurses were forced to withdraw their services and our registered nurses were forced to strike for 12 days. There were serious impacts on patient, client and community care.
"Public health nurses are the foundation of our health care," says McKenna. "It's imperative that this employer steps up and offers our nurses a fair contract. Our nurses deserve dignity and respect from their employer, and our community wants their nurses caring for them. We do not want a repeat of the strike six years ago."
ONA is the union representing 65,000 registered nurses and allied health-care professionals as well as 18,000 nursing student affiliates providing care in hospitals, long-term care facilities, public health, the community, clinics and industry.
SOURCE Ontario Nurses Association
Katherine Russo 416-964-1979 ext. 2214; Cell 647-539-1925; Melanie Levenson 416-964-1979 ext. 2369
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