Ontario’s 60,000 front-line hospital nurses and health-care professionals – members of the Ontario Nurses’ Association – are negotiating a new contract with their employers, the Ontario Hospital Association.
By supporting a better contract for hospital nurses, we can help ensure all Ontarians get the care they need and deserve. That’s why ONA members across the province are taking collective action in their workplaces and communities to support these priorities. Investing in nurses is the best way to improve access to timely, safe, and quality hospital care. It’s time to value nurses and the patients they care for.
ONA’s elected bargaining team is putting forward a large number of demands based on feedback from thousands of ONA members who filled out our bargaining survey. Your bargaining team is pushing hard because they know firsthand what’s at stake.
Our bargaining priorities:
- Better staffing
- Better wages
- Better care
Send a Message to the Ontario Government
Sign on to our email campaign and tell your Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP), Premier Doug Ford, and Minister of Health Sylvia Jones that you support a better deal for Ontario’s nurses.
Call Your MPP – Support a Better Deal for Nurses
Use Leadnow’s easy click-to-call tool to phone your Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) and demand that they support a better deal for Ontario’s nurses.
Time’s Up: Better Care Now! – Wednesday, April 5
As we face the implications of yet another disappointing provincial budget, nurses and health-care professionals know we can’t give up the fight for public health care.
We know that better staffing and wages are integral to our ability to provide patients with the quality care they need. That’s why we continue to plan actions leading up to our arbitration dates scheduled during the first week of May.
Join hospital nurses and health-care professionals in our next direct action on April 5 at 10:45 a.m. at the southeast corner of College and University Ave (Toronto.) Wear scrubs and dress for the weather (hats, gloves, etc.)!
All-Out Shut Down Protest – Thursday, March 2
All-Out Pickets – Thursday, February 23
On February 23, ONA members and allies joined all-out picket actions in communities across the province.
These pickets, held outside hospitals and Conservative MPPs’ offices, showed our unified voice and commitment to achieving a fair deal for Ontario’s nurses.
Sticker Up on February 2!
On February 2, ONA members across the province wore stickers in their workplaces to show solidarity and support for our key bargaining priorities: Better Staffing, Better Wages and Better Care.
The aim of this Sticker Up was to show a unified front, start discussions and and build momentum and support in our communities, as we escalate into bigger collective actions like pickets.
Template Letters
Let’s achieve our goals – you have a voice.
ONA is making it easy for you to speak up and strengthen our pursuit of better wages, better staffing and better care. Below you will find a template letter to the editor that you can use and send to your local newspaper. If you need help with sending the letter to your local paper, email us at onamail@ona.org. There is also a template letter to the hospital CEO calling for support for a better deal for nurses.
Please take a few moments to add any pertinent detail to the template letters and send them. We must remain united and speak with one strong voice.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is bargaining?
The bargaining dates are Jan. 30 to Feb. 3 and Feb. 27 to March 2, with mediation scheduled for March 1 and 2.
Where can I view my current contract?
Visit our Find Your Contract page for all the current central and local collective agreements. If you have a question about your current contract, please contact your Bargaining Unit President.
Who is on the Hospital Central Negotiating Team?
Your elected Hospital Central Negotiating Team is made up of full-time and part-time hospital members from across Ontario. To learn more about the current team, see “Election Results: 2023 Hospital Central Negotiating Team.”
Speak out on social media!
Show your support for a better deal for Ontario nurses and better care for Ontarians. Select a shareable below to download.
Use the hashtag #SupportNurses and join the conversation online!
Facebook/Twitter Shareable #1
Facebook/Twitter Shareable #2
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Instagram Shareable #1
Instagram Shareable #2
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ONA Boutique
The ONA Boutique has #SupportNurses and Better Care merchandise, including t-shirts and hats, available for sale. The deadline to order products is March 17.
Handheld Signs
Download an e-copy of our assorted handheld sign designs, or order printed signs using the form below.
Please use this form to order supplies for community actions*. We will be in touch to confirm your order.
The deadline for ordering materials to be delivered before the all-out pickets is February 13.
*While quantities last. Please note, flags for purchase do not include flag poles.
