Media Advisory - Front-line RNs, Health-Care Professionals to Hold Large Nepean Rally

Ontario Nurses' Association members call for repeal of Bill 124

NEPEAN, ON, Nov. 11, 2021 /CNW/ - Front-line registered nurses and health-care professionals, with support from allies, will rally tomorrow to call for the repeal of the Ford government's wage-suppression bill.

Region 2 Ontario Nurses' Association (ONA) members and allies will gather from noon to 2 pm in front of Nepean MPP Lisa MacLeod's office. Allies and supporters include representatives from Unifor, SEIU Healthcare, CUPE, the Ottawa Labour Council and members of the Ottawa Health Coalition.

Bill 124 suppresses wages for three years for the dedicated front-line workers who have worked throughout the pandemic, despite risks to themselves and their families during a pre-existing nursing shortage made much worse by COVID-19 ? and Bill 124.

ONA President Vicki McKenna, RN, notes that, "While saying he 'loves' nurses, Premier Doug Ford has actually passed legislation to suppress their wages, override their collective agreements, give their employers unprecedented powers to redeploy them anywhere, deny vacation and more. As our members are seeing what equates to a pay cut, male-dominated first responders have been able to freely negotiate much more reasonable wage increases."

McKenna notes that the pandemic and the many regressive policies of the Ford government have made an existing nursing shortage much worse. "Bill 124 is simply the last straw for many of our nurses and health-care professionals," she says. "They question whether their work and dedication will ever be valued and rewarded. This Bill has got to be repealed and respect returned to this profession."

ONA Region 2 members say they hope the rally will inform their community of the wage inequality with police and firefighters and the unfair interference in free collective bargaining ? and support them.

ONA is the union representing more than 68,000 registered nurses and health-care professionals, as well as 18,000 nursing student affiliates, providing care in hospitals, long-term care, public health, the community, clinics and industry.

Visit us at: www.ona.org; Facebook.com/OntarioNurses; www.Twitter.com/OntarioNurses

SOURCE Ontario Nurses' Association