THUNDER BAY – Striking Community Care Access Centre health-care workers insist they will remain off the job until receiving fair compensation.
The pickets shifted to outside the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre on Monday, where more than 30 people were demonstrating outside both the Oliver Road and Golf Links Road entrances to the hospital for the fourth day of their labour dispute.
Shawndel Polhill, community care coordinator, said despite frigid temperatures the pickets will continue.
“So far morale is high with the group. It’s cold out here but we’ve bundled up and we’re ready to fight for our rights,” Polhill said. “We’re prepared to be out here as long as it takes.”
The striking workers are responsible for helping transition people out of the hospital that have complex needs into their homes with increased services. They also assess people who need equipment like walkers and make home visits to people who may have wounds or other injuries.
About 3,000 CCAC workers across the province, who are represented by the Ontario Nurses’ Association, walked off the job last Friday. That includes about 125 in Northwestern Ontario.
Their previous contract, which saw them take a wage freeze, expired in March 2014. Nine of the province’s 10 CCAs voted in favour of a strike, with one accepting the deal.
“We have our speculation as to why they’ve accepted their offer but the rest of us, especially us in the North, are the lowest paid CCAC and we’ve been on a two-year wage freeze. It’s time,” Polhill said.
“All we’re looking for is a small, nominal wage increase.”
ONA labour relations officer Michele Martin said the pickets moved to the hospital because there are offices for CCAC nurses in the building.
The change in location, especially to a high traffic area, is designed to increase public awareness.
“We’re getting a lot of honks from people driving by and stopping to ask us about the reason for the strike,” Martin said.
Tuija Puiras, North West CCAC CEO, said there has been no progress in talks since late last week.
“We have told the Ontario Nurses Association if they are interested in coming back to the table we are interested in talking but I haven’t heard anything as of today,” Puiras said.
The North West CCAC on Alloy Drive remains open while the strike continues, with remaining staff primarily processing referrals.
Services run by nurses, such as their mental health and addictions programs, are on hold.
They are trying their best to keep the big picture running as smoothly as possible.
“We are helping the hospital to discharge and we are doing placements in long-term care homes. So far everything has been up to date,” Puiras said.
