Nurses and Health Professionals with The Espanola and Area Family Health Team Headed to Mediation: Legal Strike Deadline is April 12
ESPANOLA, ON, April 1, 2015 /CNW/ - Registered Nurses (RNs), Nurse Practitioners (NPs) and other health care professionals, all members of the Ontario Nurses' Association (ONA) working for The Espanola and Area Family Health Team, are headed to mediation on April 9 in an effort to avoid a strike.
"These dedicated NPs, RNs, registered practical nurse (RPN), a dietitian, social worker and medical reception members provide invaluable and essential primary health care to, on average, 340 patients per week in this region," said ONA President Linda Haslam-Stroud, RN. "It is these professionals who ensure people receive the care they need in their communities. They use their education and skills to focus on chronic disease management, disease prevention and health promotion, working with other health care organizations to meet the needs of their patients."
ONA, the union representing the 14 members who work on the The Espanola and Area Family Health Team, notes that some of these highly educated and skilled professionals have not had any salary increases since 2007. The current collective agreement expired on December 31, 2014.
In the Family Health Team model, family physicians, nurse practitioners, RNs, social workers, dietitians and other health professionals work together to provide care. They offer health care services and a wide range of health-care options.
"Our members do not wish to withdraw their services," said Haslam-Stroud. "However, as highly trained and educated professionals, they simply cannot be expected to go year after year with no wage increase. It's time for the employer to step up to the plate and demonstrate the respect they deserve."
ONA is the union representing 60,000 registered nurses and allied health professionals, as well as more than 14,000 nursing student affiliates providing care in hospitals, long-term care, the community, public health, clinics and industry.
Visit us at: www.ona.org; Facebook.com/OntarioNurses; Twitter.com/OntarioNurses
SOURCE Ontario Nurses' Association
For further information: Ontario Nurses' Association: Sheree Bond, (416) 964-8833, ext. 2430, cell: (416) 986-8240, [email protected]; Ruth Featherstone, (416) 964-8833, ext. 2267, [email protected]
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