Princess Margaret Cancer Centre Medical Radiation Therapists Call on CEO to Negotiate Fair Wages and Current Contract

TORONTO, ON., October 30, 2023 – Having worked without a current contract for four years, Medical Radiation Therapists (MRTs) at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre have held a rally and called on University Health Network CEO and President Kevin Smith to come to the table and immediately negotiate a current fair contract.

“Cancer patients rely on the extraordinary care that our highly educated and skilled Medical Radiation Therapists provide,” says Ontario Nurses’ Association (ONA) President Erin Ariss, RN. “Princess Margaret Cancer Centre prides itself as one of the best cancer-care centres in Canada yet is treating our vital MRTs – who provide specialized care and perform ground-breaking research – disrespectfully. It’s 2023, yet this employer has failed to negotiate a current contract, leaving these vital health-care professionals living on 2019-era wages. It’s appalling, and it is impacting the ability of this facility to attract and retain these highly specialized health-care professionals.”

The MRTs are seeking a four-year contract with fair and respectful wage increases, catching them up to the current year.

Following a rally outside Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, the MRTs and their supporters presented the CEO and President with a petition signed by a very strong majority, 84% of the MRTs, to demonstrate that they value the essential role of MRTs in providing life-saving treatment and research for patients with cancer by negotiating the new contract. The two sides are scheduled for arbitration on October 31, 2023.

“I would hope that Dr. Kevin Smith will stop withholding fair and respectful wages from front-line health-care professionals and instead treat them with the respect they so deserve,” says Ariss. “Princess Margaret exists to provide the best care, treatment plan and research to people facing a serious health crisis. It is imperative that Dr. Smith act in the best interests of those who need the best care.”

ONA is the union representing 68,000 ONA registered nurses and health-care professionals, as well as 18,000 nursing student affiliates, providing care in hospitals, long-term care facilities, public health, the community, clinics and industry.

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To arrange an interview, contact:

ONA Media Relations, media@ona.org