The contract dispute between Hastings-Prince Edward Public Health and the Ontario Nurses’ Association is nearing a strike.
That’s because the ONA was given a “no-board” report by the Ministry of Labour dated September 8th. That means the earliest the 40 ONA nurses’ without a contract can strike is September 25th. The ONA have been negotiating with Public Health to get a new contract for the nurses who have been without since the New Year.
Piotr Oglaza, the Medical Officer of Health at Hastings Prince Edward Public Health, says while they don’t want to see it happen, the strike is being planned for. “We’re optimistic and hopeful we can reach an agreement before the 25th,” he says. “We’ve identified the services and individuals responsible to main the truly critical services that public health offers,” he added.
A mediator from the Labour Board was brought in in August to help with contract talks. Vicki McKenna, the Provincial President with the Ontario Nurses’ Association, mentioned last month that the contract that was originally put forward was “regressive.” Oglaza could not comment on the specifics of the contract negotiation.
The next mediation session is set for September 19th. That’s six days before the nurses will be in a legal strike position.
My Bancroft Now reached out to a representative from the Ontario Nurses’ Association, but they were unavailable for comment.