Nurses’ vision for workers' rights and a secure future

Over the last few months, Tim Hudak and the Progressive Conservative party have released a series of White Papers that set out their proposed policy prescriptions for Ontario.

More recently, Randy Hillier, MPP for Lanark-Frontenac-Lennox & Addington and PC labour critic introduced three private member’s bills (62, 63 and 64) that, if passed, would threaten workers' rights, union security, and fundamentally undermine labour relations in Ontario.

On May 6, Tim Hudak, leader of the Progressive Conservatives summarized his party’s vision for Ontario in his speech to the legislature as part of the debate on the Ontario budget and attacked a secure future for workers through defined benefit pension plans.

Taken together, Tim Hudak’s Progressive Conservatives want to eliminate a democratic and collective voice for nurses in their workplace and for all other Ontario workers, and destroy the possibility of a secure future in retirement for nurses after a lifetime of work on behalf of our patients.

Nurses have an alternative vision for worker rights and challenge political parties to build an Ontario with a secure future.

My Ontario respects the democratic right to negotiate our terms and conditions of work, which directly impact on my ability to provide safe and quality care.

Unions have always been a positive force in our society and play a valuable role defending and advancing the rights of workers in Ontario.

Nurses and other workers, through their unions, have a collective voice at work and a democratic venue to fight for equality, fair treatment, economic security and safe working conditions.

My Ontario provides for a fair wage arbitration system that represents a balanced trade-off for nurses and other workers who do not have the right to strike.

My Ontario does not incite dues evasion that encourages people to take something without paying for it. It’s unethical. It promotes free-riders. Free riders force other workers to pay more or accept less.

My Ontario includes a secure future for nurses and all workers through a defined benefit pension plan.

As a nurse, I have made retirement planning a priority throughout my working career. My union has made pensions a bargaining priority.

My employer and I have made the necessary contributions for the sustainability of our pension plan. Our contributions have been properly and ethically invested and managed at a very reasonable cost.

My plan is fully funded now and into the foreseeable future.

My retirement planning is not subject to the vagaries of the financial markets and interest rates – I can predict with relative certainty my retirement income.

After a lifetime of caring for Ontarians, I am able to retire with dignity and continue to provide for my family and loved ones.

I sleep better at night knowing my retirement future is secure.

This is the Ontario that I wish for all Ontarians. This is my challenge. If you agree with me, please take action and send a message to your MPP.

Linda Haslam-Stroud, RN
President