A strike is a possibility, but both sides agree that it should be a last resort.
Over 40 nurses have been working without a contract at Hastings Prince Edward Public Health since the New Year. Piotr Oglaza, the Medical Officer of Health at Hastings Prince Edward Public Health, says that while a plan is in place if a strike does happen, he hopes it’s not necessary. “I can safely say that both sides are eager to reach an agreement,” he says. Vicki McKenna, the Provincial President with the Ontario Nurses’ Association, said that a strike will be the ONA’s last resort. Oglaza went on to say that, “the planning (for a strike) revolves around what the essential services are what how will we provide these essential service.”
When speaking with My Bancroft Now, McKenna also mentioned how she thought parts of the contract put forward from Public Health were regressive. Oglaza says that he can’t comment on any specifics of the contract, but he did say that things like that are a part of the negotiation process.
McKenna also mentioned that while getting a new contract in place is important, making sure the relationship between Public Health and ONA Nurses affected doesn’t get fractured is also important. Oglaza says that both sides are making sure they’re being respectful so that doesn’t happen.
McKenna said that she expects negotiations to continue into September. Oglaza didn’t get into specifics when asked when he wants to see a new contract done. He said that Public Health has a deadline set to get a contract done, but at the same time he said they don’t want to rush the process.
