THUNDER BAY – Nurses at St. Elizabeth Home Care are headed to conciliation on Wednesday.
According to a release issued on Tuesday, the six full-time and one part-time registered nurses, as well as four full-time and one part-time registered practical nurses, have been without a deal for nearly two years.
"Our dedicated ONA members provide expert, exceptional and compassionate care to an array of patients with both complex health issues and those with chronic conditions across this community," notes Ontario Nurses Association president Vicki McKenna.
"Our nurses care for those with cancer, work alongside physicians and nurse practitioners in palliative care, provide wound and post-operative care for their patients, care for seniors and diabetics, and provide home dialysis care and support for renal patients. ONA has been trying to negotiate a new contract with this employer since October 2017.
McKenna went on to say the employers have acknowledged chronic problems attracting retaining nursing staff because of inferior wages and no wage grid.
"The care our nurses provide is too important to suffer from a nurse recruitment and retention crisis," McKenna said.
"The solution is obvious – and we urge this employer to come to conciliation prepared with a decent offer."
