ONA Not Pleased With Contract Talks

The Ontario Nurses Association says it can’t accept a cut in wages and benefits for nurses in their next contract.
They’re awaiting the outcome of an arbitration hearing held on the weekend with the Ontario Hospital Association.
ONA President Linda Haslam-Stroud says they are disgusted with the recommendation of cuts.
Haslam-Stroud says nurses have already suffered through a 2-year wage freeze.
She says it’s time for the government and hospitals to value and respect nurses and they are asking for nominal wage and benefit improvements.
Haslam-Stroud notes nurses can’t continue to balance the budgets of hospitals.
The current contract for nurses, including those who work in Dryden, Sioux Lookout and Red Lake, expire at the end of this month.