The Regional Municipality of Halton Public Health Unit Nurses Heading to Conciliation

OAKVILLE, ON., February 26, 2024 – More than 130 nurses, members of the Ontario Nurses’ Association (ONA) who provide a wide range of public health services to the residents of Burlington, Halton Hills, Milton and Oakville, are heading into conciliation talks tomorrow, trying to negotiate a fair and respectful new collective agreement.

“Our incredibly skilled nurses have been working without a current contract for almost a year,” notes ONA Provincial President Erin Ariss, RN. “We have been in negotiations since November. There is simply no excuse for this employer to fail to reach an agreement with the skilled nurses who do so much to keep the people of these communities safe and well.”

Ariss notes that the 132 public health nurses, registered nurses and nurse practitioners working for the Regional Municipality of Halton have seen their real wages drop by almost seven per cent in the past nine years, after factoring in inflation.

“Not surprisingly, our members have seen the same inflationary pressures that every other Ontarian has seen,” notes Ariss. “With a sector whose work is so vital to the health and well-being of every member of the communities they serve – from the youngest infants to the elderly – it is imperative that the new contract includes a fair increase that, at the very minimum, keeps up with the rate of inflation. We expect this employer to come to conciliation talks prepared to table a serious monetary offer that respects and values the work our members do.”

The nurses deliver a wide range of services, programs and care, including Immunization Services, Communicable and Infectious Disease Control Services, Sexual Health Clinic Services, Healthy Babies Healthy Children Program, Halton Parents and other health promotion programs.

“After the commitment these incredible nurses showed working through the pandemic, focused on keeping the citizens safe, it is absurd that this employer has yet to recognize the value they bring to the community. We expect to see that change, now,” says Ariss.

ONA is the union representing 68,000 registered nurses and health-care professionals, as well as 18,000 nursing students, 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