With conciliation talks scheduled for Monday, union representing 61 members cite poor working conditions, chronic understaffing and low wages<\/p>\n
Public health nurses in Algoma are headed\u00a0to conciliation\u00a0Monday as they seek to negotiate a new contract.<\/p>\n
There have been three days of negotiations to date, and among the key issues facing the 60 registered nurses and one nurse practitioner are understaffing,\u00a0the lowest public health nurse wages in the province,\u00a0burnout due to heavy workloads\u00a0and\u00a0job security, says a news release from the Ontario Nurses’ Association.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur skilled nurses are sounding the alarm about the growing crisis in public health,\u201d says ONA Provincial President Erin Ariss. \u201cChronic understaffing, increased workloads and stagnant wages are pushing the system \u2014 and those who rely on it \u2014 to the breaking point.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cNurses working in northern communities are on the front lines of essential public health services, from maternal and child health, chronic disease prevention, vaccinations and infectious disease case management to emergency response. Despite their critical role, these nurses are paid some of the lowest wages in the province.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Ariss notes that \u201cthese nurses carried their communities through a global pandemic and a large measles outbreak, yet their work continues to be undervalued. Falling behind other health units makes it impossible to recruit and retain staff \u2013 and the public will pay the price.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nDuring conciliation, the nurses\u00a0(from Sault Ste. Marie, Wawa, Blind River and Elliot Lake)\u00a0will seek “competitive compensation that reflects the unique challenges of northern practice and cost of living, investment in recruitment to reach safer staffing levels that ensure safe, sustainable, and equitable access to health care for all communities,\u00a0and job protection,” the release adds.<\/p>\n
\nONA is the union representing 68,000 registered nurses and health-care professionals, as well as more than 18,000 nursing student affiliates, providing care in hospitals, long-term care facilities, public health, the community, clinics, and industry.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n