Ontario Nurses' Association Launches Radio Ads As CCAC Strike Continues

TORONTO, Feb. 10, 2015 /CNW/ - The Ontario Nurses' Association (ONA) has launched radio ads across much of the province as the strike by approximately 3,000 CCAC Care Coordinators and Health Professionals enters its second full week.

The radio ads are airing as ONA hears horror stories from patients from across the province.

"Our invaluable Care Coordinators and Health Professionals want to be at work, providing the care and services our communities need each and every day," said ONA President Linda Haslam-Stroud, RN. "However, their bosses – the CEOs of nine of the province's Community Care Access Centres – have steadfastly refused to even discuss the nominal wage increase our members are asking for. This, of course, is the same 1.4 per cent increase provided to 57,000 other ONA members across the province in our hospital, homes for the aged, long-term care and public health sectors."

Haslam-Stroud continues to signal that ONA is happy to return to the bargaining table when the CCAC management is open to discussing wage increases. The CCAC Health Professionals had a two-year wage freeze in their last contract and are seeking a 1.4 per cent increase rather than a wage freeze in a new contract. The workers have been without a contract since March 31, 2014.

"Our patients deserve to know what the issues are as we continue to seek a fair agreement for Care Coordinators and Health Professionals," says Haslam-Stroud. "We hope the radio ads airing in so many of our communities will help our patients understand why we're striking, and we ask that our patients continue to support us. As nurses and health care professionals, we are here to advocate for your care, and your support is much-needed and much-appreciated."

ONA's radio ad is available on our website at http://www.ona.org/news_details/CCAC_updates_20150130.html.

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

Ontario Nurses' Association: Sheree Bond, [phone], ext.2430, cell: [phone], [email protected]; Melanie Levenson, [phone], ext. 2369, [email protected]