Stratford-Area Front-Line Nurses, Health-Care Professionals to Rally

Ontario Nurses’ Association members call for repeal of Bill 124, Doug Ford’s wage-suppression legislation

STRATFORD, On., November 24, 2021 – Registered nurses and health-care professionals will hold a rally tomorrow in Stratford outside MPP Randy Pettapiece’s constituency tomorrow to call for the repeal of wage-suppression legislation, Bill 124.

“As the COVID-19 pandemic has continued, our dedicated front-line RNs and health-care professionals have been increasingly incensed at this government’s targeting of their profession, despite their sacrifices,” says Ontario Nurses’ Association President Vicki McKenna, RN. “Bill 124 was passed by this government to suppress wages and access to fair collective bargaining, holding wage and benefit increases to a maximum of one per cent. Our members are planning a Day of Action in Stratford to inform the public about this legislation, which is particularly concerning to those working in smaller and rural hospitals and health-care facilities.”

McKenna notes that Bill 124 has caused many RNs and health-care professionals to leave the profession, worsening the provincial nursing shortage. “Ontario has had the worst RN-to-population ratio in Canada for years and Bill 124 has exacerbated it. Our patients are being impacted, especially in smaller communities.”

The local RNs and health-care professionals will be joined by members of CUPE as they rally outside the Perth-Wellington MPP’s office.

“As the nursing shortage causes closures of rural emergency departments, delays surgeries and leaves our patients waiting for care, it is imperative that this government repeal Bill 124,” says McKenna. “Our highly educated and skilled RNs and health-care professionals deserve respect.”

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

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Who:               Front-line registered nurses and health-care professionals

What:              Rally to Protest Bill 124

When:            Thursday, November 25, 2021, 11:00 am to 1:00 pm

Where:           Constituency Office of MPP Randy Pettapiece, 55 Lorne Ave E (Unit 2), Stratford