THUNDER BAY – Thunder Bay nurses held a third collective action to show support to their patients and colleagues on Sunday.
Donna Wheal, Bargaining Unit President for ONA Local 73, said that the nurses were out, petitions in hand, providing information on what they believe will improve staffing ratios and patient care which includes better working conditions and fair compensation will help retain current nurses and recruit back those who left.
“I hope they think that nurses are there as patient advocates that we want the best care for Thunder Bay residents and that we know that there is a need for the government not to privatize healthcare and that they start to think about these matters so that they actually put their voices to good use as well,” said Wheal.
Contract negotiations between ONA and the province have failed and been sent to arbitration, the ONA said that the nurses are rallying to show unity and support for better staffing ratios, wages and patient care.
“We're hoping that the government takes notice that we need more nurses and to do that,” said Wheal. “We have to retain them, there has to be wages.”
Wheal said she felt tremendous at seeing so many local nurses turn out to show their support, noting that times have become so much that nurses are now becoming more vocal in Thunder Bay and throughout the rest of the province.
“Throughout the communities in Ontario ONA locals are doing things like pamphlets outside of restaurants, subway stations, etcetera,” said Wheal.
“Depending on where you are, what kind of foot traffic you have, Thunder Bay is really not a walking town, so, we decided to come out to where there were a lot of cars to see us.”
