ONA President's Message "I Will Never Give Up - But I Need Your Help!"

As your elected President, there is nothing I would have liked more than to be able to announce details of a negotiated hospital-sector agreement this month. Unfortunately, the Ontario Hospital Association (OHA) had other ideas.

Despite the arduous efforts of our Hospital Central Negotiating Team on behalf of our 58,000-plus members, the OHA was unwilling to negotiate an agreement that reflected our value to the health-care system.

As I'm sure you have heard, the Ontario Hospital Association tabled outrageous and regressive concession proposals, including a three-per-cent wage cut. The effects of these rollbacks would include more than a $26,000 reduction in wages over eight years for a new nursing graduate, and a rollback in wages from three to seven per cent for any experienced nurse who changes employers.
Unfortunately, our patients would bear the brunt of this: fewer nurses working in Ontario will deplete the high-quality care our patients deserve.

Let me be clear about one thing: ONA will never, never, never give up! Our strong More Nurses Campaign is resonating with the public and our supporters. Ontarians are getting the message: Ontario needs more registered nurses - not cuts.

On March 19, hundreds of members, ONA staff and supporters attended a rally at Queen's Park to spotlight the impact of registered nursing cuts on patient care. Many media outlets -- including television, radio and print as well as online through social media -- captured our strong, clear message: Ontario needs more nurses.

Here's how you can help: As patient advocates, we must all speak out about these cuts to our family, friends, neighbours and to our elected representatives. The more conversations we have about this issue, the more aware Ontarians will be about the devastating impact nursing cuts have in health care.
Please visit either www.morenurses.ca or www.ona.org/morenurses to find resources, information and tools to help you have these conversations.

Can I count on you?

In Solidarity,
Linda