THUNDER BAY — Nearly 150 nurses and other workers in the home and community care sector in Thunder Bay and several other places in Northwestern Ontario are getting a pay increase and improved benefits.
They are among the 4,300 Ontario Nurses Association members who have now ratified a tentative agreement that was reached last week with their employers, with the assistance of a conciliator.
Under a retroactive two-year deal that expires in March 2024, nurses who work for Home and Community Care Support Services North West will receive a 3.0 per cent raise in each year.
The new contract also provides for improved shift and weekend premiums, improved mental health coverage and vision care.
ONA members covered by the agreement include care coordinators, nurse practitioners, mental health and addictions nurses, palliative care nurses,clinical care specialists and clerical support workers.
"The agreement is a good start to improving our members' wages, benefits and working conditions in the home and community," ONA president Erin Ariss said Wednesday.
"There are still much-needed improvements to ensure the sector provides fare wages, safe staffing and timely care, and we will be bringing these issues back to the bargaining table next year."
