News

ONA members are encouraged to take part in Labour Day activities across the province. This ONA News item contains information about events in Barrie, Ottawa, Port Elgin, Toronto and Windsor.

Online registration for ONA’s 2010 Biennial Convention is now open. ONA members and nursing student affiliate members should register and book their hotel rooms by Tuesday, October 5.

You may be eligible to benefit financially as a result of the settlement of a class lawsuit about the demutualization of an insurance company that covered nurses at certain workplaces through the Hospitals of Ontario Disability Income Plan (HOODIP). Some ONA members and retirees must take action to benefit, but many members are not required to do anything. Read this ONA News item to find out whether you need to take action.

Ballots for the Hospital Central Negotiating Team election were mailed directly to members on August 30. Completed ballots must be received by ONA no later than 16:30h ET on October 1, 2010. Information about the candidates is provided in this ONA News item.

The Government of Ontario is changing the way hospitals are funded, moving away from block grants to a type of fee-for-service funding. Join the Ontario Health Coalition at one of six regional summits to learn what the changes mean for patients and health care providers.

As has been widely reported, Ontario nurses are part of the group of public sector employees who Premier Dalton McGuinty believes must share the financial burden that the government is facing as a result of the worldwide recession. ONA has been invited to send representatives to consultations with the government and health sector employers beginning in early September.

This Notice May Affect Your Rights. Please Read Carefully. To: All current and former employees of member organizations of the Ontario Hospital Association (“OHA”) who paid a share of premiums and were covered by the OHA’s long-term disability policy (Policy No 2100) as of December 29, 1997.

The Ministry of Labour has announced a Musculoskeletal (MSD) Heightened Enforcement Campaign for the health care sector. The campaign will be carried out starting September 15 and ending November 15, 2010.

The Ontario Nurses' Association has endorsed the Colour of Poverty Campaign's open letter to Prime Minister Stephen Harper demanding that the federal government call off the attack on employment equity.

ONA is encouraging members to sign a “Stolen Sisters” petition from the Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC), calling upon the Parliament of Canada to invest in initiatives to help prevent Aboriginal women from disappearing.

ONA members who wish to allow their name to stand must complete the nomination form and submit the completed form to the CEO by the end of the business day (4:30 p.m.), on Thursday, September 2, 2010. The nomination form and other relevant documents including the ONA Provincial Election Guidelines are provided as a PDF file linked from this ONA News item.

ONA Locals, please endorse the Fédération interprofessionnelle de la santé du Québec (FIQ) petition for better working conditions.

This Notice May Affect Your Rights. Please Read Carefully. To: All current and former employees of member organizations of the Ontario Hospital Association (“OHA”) who paid a share of premiums and were covered by the OHA’s long-term disability policy (Policy No 2100) as of December 29, 1997.

Pride Week marks the anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall Riots in New York City. In Ontario, Pride Week is now a ten-day event that is held in Toronto during the end of June each year. ONA is proud to be part of the continuing struggle of fighting for equality – in the workplace, in government and beyond.

On June 24 each year, French Canadians all across Canada and throughout Quebec mark Saint Jean Baptiste Day by expressing their cultural pride and rich heritage through musical concerts, cultural festivals, colorful parades and lively parties and celebrations.

The Ontario Nurses’ Association (ONA) is celebrating the achievements and contributions of First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples on the 15th National Aboriginal Day. Due to years of lobbying by the Assembly of First Nations, June 21 was proclaimed to be National Aboriginal Day on June 13, 1996. Each year National Aboriginal Day, also known as Aboriginal Solidarity Day, is celebrated across the country on the summer solstice.

ONA’s persistent efforts to end workplace violence have paid off in the form of significant amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA). Learn about the new legislation that takes effect today.

The central hospital collective agreement will expire on March 31, 2011. As a result, it is time to initiate the process of electing a new Hospital Central Negotiating Team, and make the call for nominations from members in hospital Bargaining Units. This ONA News item contains links to: Nomination and résumé forms; Mandate – Hospital Central Negotiating Team; and Policy #18.2 – Nominations for ONA Committees/Teams Procedures.

June 1, 2010 is the 27th anniversary of the day when more than 3,000 injured workers, their families and supporters converged on Queen’s Park to protest unjust changes to the compensation act. They won and we’re going to celebrate by rallying and petitioning to improve compensation for injured workers in Ontario.

ONA’s submission to government on Bill 21: Retirement Homes Act, 2010; Information about new workplace violence and harassment prevention legislation; and ONA President’s recommendations to the Health Minister re: pandemic planning.

Toward Access and Equality: Realigning Ontario’s Approach to Small and Rural Hospitals to Serve Public Values, is based on input received from more than 1,150 people who attended 12 hearings in regions across Ontario during March 2010.

The Ontario Nurses’ Association (ONA) is marking International Day Against Homophobia 2010 by recognizing and celebrating our lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) members’ year-round commitment to exceptional health care.

Noting that RNs in Ontario are continuing to experience nursing cuts and rising workplace pressure, ONA President Linda Haslam-Stroud, RN, says this is the week – which marks Florence Nightingale’s birthday – to put the spotlight on the priceless contributions that nurses make.

The Ontario Nurses’ Association (ONA) is pleased to celebrate the role and contributions of physiotherapists during National Physiotherapy Month (NPM). This year’s theme is “Your mobility is in good hands.”

ONA members are marking May Day with action by going door-to-door in the community of East York and asking residents to help stop cuts to registered nurse positions at the Toronto East General Hospital (TEGH). You can help to protect patient care and stop nursing cuts by sending your own message right now.

Ontario officially recognizes April 28 as a day to remember workers who have died, been injured or made ill as a result of their work. Join workers in your community to commemorate this important event and to call for more action to prevent tragedies in our workplaces. The Workers Health & Safety Centre’s province-wide list of events is linked in this ONA News item.

The Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) is offering municipal election candidate and campaign skills training. Sessions are scheduled to take place in 15 Ontario communities on weekends during April, May and June. There is no charge for ONA members to register.

At a speech given by Health Minister Deb Matthews, more than 200 demonstrators criticized the McGuinty government for ignoring and downplaying the consequences of health care funding cuts. Send a message now to your MPP to stop nursing cuts and fund the services that patients need.

The release of Ontario’s public-sector “sunshine” list has revealed some excessive salaries among hospital CEOs and senior management. The Ontario Nurses’ Association believes that quality professional work deserves appropriate professional remuneration, but we are struck by the sheer scale of pay for some of these hospital executives.

Last week ONA members joined 5,000 people from across the province in a rally to support striking Steelworkers in Sudbury. Show your support by sending a message to Vale-Inco CEO Roger Agnelli right now.

Announcements of nursing and service cuts and bed closures in the communities of Cobourg and London have prompted members of the public to join Ontario Nurses’ Association (ONA) members and other health care advocates to fight the cutbacks.

Nurses at Extendicare Scarborough and the Victorian Order of Nurses (VON) Kirkland Lake are now members of the Ontario Nurses’ Association (ONA).

The Ontario Nurses’ Association marks the 44th International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Proclaiming the Day in 1966, the United Nations called on the international community to redouble its efforts to eliminate all forms of racial discrimination. Today, racialized communities in Canada are three times more likely to be poor than other Canadians because of inequalities in access to education, barriers to employment and low wages.

This one-hour session will address issues and strategies on how to effectively discuss your workload and/or PRC with your Manager. ONA’s Professional Practice Specialists will provide information on how ONA leaders can help their members deal with this important first stage of the PRC process.

The Ontario Nurses’ Association (ONA) is celebrating the achievements and drawing attention to the struggles of women on the 102nd International Women’s Day (IWD). This year’s themes are: “Demand Good Jobs and Good Pensions, Defend Public Services, End Violence and Exploitation.”

The Ontario Nurses’ Association (ONA) is pleased to celebrate the role and contributions of social workers during National Social Work Week (NSWW), March 1 to 7. This year’s theme is “Poverty: There are Solutions – Social Workers Making a Difference.”

Nursing Week is celebrated every year throughout Canada during the week of Florence Nightingale’s May 12th birthday. For 2010, our theme will be: “Celebrate Our Nurses: The Heart of Health Care!” The 2010 Nursing Week Planning Guide is available for downloading as a link in this ONA News item.

February 28, 2010 marks the 11th annual International Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) Awareness Day, which is dedicated to RSI education and prevention. This ONA News item contains information about activities planned around the province in February and March to help build awareness of and develop strategies to eliminate RSIs in our workplaces.

Pre-registration for the May 2010 Area Coordinators Conferences (ACC) Health and Safety Caucus 2010 is now open. Please pre-register online today.

The Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL) has launched its Communities that Work campaign beginning with a province-wide blitz of radio ads urging Premier Dalton McGuinty to focus the 2010 Ontario budget on good jobs. The CommunitiesThatWork.ca website provides an easy to use ‘Email the Premier’ tool.

February is Black History Month, also known as African Heritage Month. The Ontario Nurses’ Association (ONA) joins with workers across the province in recognizing the history, legacy and contributions of Canadians with ancestral roots in Africa.

The vast destruction brought about by the recent earthquakes in Haiti is causing unimaginable suffering. Many ONA members have been writing and calling to ask how to help. If you want to assist the people of Haiti, please consider donating funds. This ONA News item contains links to the Doctors Without Borders (MSF) website and the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) web page for donating to the Canadian Red Cross (CRC).

Pre-registration for the March 2010 Provincial Coordinators Meeting (PCM) is now open. Please pre-register online by Monday, February 8, 2010.

The Canadian Blood Services (CBS) is proposing changes to the way blood donors are screened. CBS wants to eliminate nurses from initial donor screening and replace them with 'multi-skilled workers.' This morning the Canadian Federation of Nurses' Unions (CFNU) launched SafeBlood.ca. The new website provides an easy to use, online 'Take Action' tool.

Changes to provincial workplace safety legislation and practices at Windsor’s Hôtel-Dieu Grace Hospital specifically are evidence of progress toward making the workplace safer for nurses.

Registration for the January 2010 Treasurers' Workshop is now open. Please register online by January 8, 2010. The deadline to book hotel rooms is December 18, 2009.

The Ontario Nurses' Association (ONA) commemorates the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women. A proactive union that is committed to improving the economic welfare and quality of our members, ONA understands that ending violence against women requires social and economic equality. This ONA News item contains links to a Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) email campaign and statements from the CLC, the Ontario Federation of Labour and the Governor General.

The Ontario Nurses' Association (ONA) celebrates International Day of Persons with Disabilities. This year's theme is "Empowerment of persons with disabilities and their communities around the world." More than 15 per cent of people in Ontario report having a recognized disability. As caregivers for and supporters of persons with disabilities, across the province nurses take action to promote the goals of this day through their work every day.

Ontario Nurses' Association (ONA) President Linda Haslam-Stroud, RN presented to the Ontario Legislative Assembly's Standing Committee on Social Policy regarding Bill 168, the Occupational Health and Safety Amendment Act (Violence and Harassment in the Workplace) 2009. This ONA News item contains links to the text of the bill and ONA's submission to the committee.

ONA leaders convened for the November 2009 Provincial Coordinators Meeting (PCM) on November 11 and 12 in Toronto. This ONA News item contains links to the PCM highlights documents and copies of the slides from two presentations that took place on November 13.

This ONA News item contains a link to a new questions and answers (Q & A) document for ONA members about H1N1 as well as an information sheet from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care about N95 user training and fit-testing clinics that are being held across Ontario this month.

The Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL) will be holding its 10th Biennial Convention from Monday, November 23 to Friday, November 27, 2009 at the Sheraton Centre Hotel in Toronto. This ONA News item contains a link to information on the OFL’s website.

ONA participated in the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) H1N1 stakeholder teleconference on November 5. This ONA News item provides a summary of new information from the teleconference including the extended hours of operation for the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) hotline and a link to the list of flu assessment clinics.

From November 8 to 14, The Ontario Nurses' Association (ONA) is pleased to join with its Medical Radiation Technologist (MRT) members throughout the province who are celebrating their profession with their colleagues and communities to promote The Power of Technology with a Human Touch.

ONA participated in the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) H1N1 stakeholder teleconference on Thursday. This ONA News item provides a summary of the teleconference and links to new information including: a list of influenza vaccination clinics, an update on access to the provincial stockpile of supplied and equipment, and recently posted MOHLTC guidance documents.

Hard copies of this memo are being sent to the Public Health Bargaining Unit Presidents in the next mailing, however, it is important that the information be shared as soon as possible. To download a copy of the memo as a PDF file, please login to the Local Executive section of the website.

ONA participated in the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) H1N1 stakeholder teleconference on Friday morning. This ONA News item provides a summary of the information from the teleconference and links to new information that has been posted online by the MOHLTC.

Letters from Joshua Tepper, Assistant Deputy Minister, Health Human Resources Strategy Division, Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC), regarding the Hospital Accountability Planning Submission (HAPS) Guidelines.

On October 14, the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) posted a new Important Health Notice (IHN) providing a status update on the current situation in the Province of Ontario. This ONA News item provides a summary of and links to the information in the IHN.

The Human Rights and Equity Caucus meeting will be held in Toronto on Tuesday, November 10.

Registered Nurses (RNs) and Registered Practical Nurses (RPNs) at the Strathroy Middlesex General Hospital (SMGH) have voted to make the Ontario Nurses' Association (ONA) their union.

By now your employer should have conducted risk assessments in conjunction with your Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC) to determine who may be at risk of exposure to H1N1 at work and how those workers should be protected. We know that the assessments have not been done in many of your workplaces and reports continue to be received about challenges that persist with respect to proper protection for workers who may be exposed to the HIN1 virus.

Linda Haslam-Stroud, RN, and Vicki McKenna, RN, have been acclaimed to the positions of ONA President and First Vice-President, respectively. An election using the televote system is not necessary this fall. ONA members, please log on for more information.

The fund, set up at the 2007 CFNU Biennium Convention, is intended to assist students in accredited nursing education programs throughout Canada. As a member of the CFNU, ONA is entitled to one of the 10, $1,000 student scholarships awarded each year.

4 Aug 09 -- ONA President Linda Haslam-Stroud, RN and CEO Lesley Bell, RN attended the ICN 24th Quadrennial Congress, in Durban, South Africa, June 27 to July 4, 2009. Haslam-Stroud presented a paper - "Safety First: Recognizing and Responding to Violence in the Health Care Sector" to the conference.

20 Jul 09 -- We continue to encourage ONA members to work with your bargaining unit leadership to identify and raise any health and safety concerns regarding the employer's readiness to protect workers from exposure to this and other infectious diseases. We are aware that the Ministry of Labour is monitoring and responding to concerns in our workplaces, and MOL just recently issued orders relating to an exposure of a worker to an H1N1 patient in a northern hospital.

ONA is continuing its lobbying efforts to have Canadian Blood Services (CBS) call a halt to a staffing model that would replace registered nurses with unregulated or multi-skilled workers for blood donor screening.

16 Jul 09 -- A graphic comment on Canada's national healthcare standards.

2 Jul 09 -- The Ministry of Labour has recently updated its Health and Safety Guideline on Heat Stress. In addition, members of the Occupational Health and Safety Council of Ontario (OHSCO) have also developed useful materials related to heat stress. These materials that may assist Joint Health and Safety Committees and members when dealing with extreme heat situations.

24 Jun 09 -- D'un bout à l'autre du Canada et surtout au Québec, le 24 juin chaque année, les Canadiens et Canadiennes françaises expriment leur fierté et leur riche héritage culturel en célébrant par des festivals culturels, spectacles musicaux, parades et fêtes communautaires, soulignant ainsi la Fête de la St.Jean.

23 Jun 09 -- "Pride Week" marks the anniversary of the "Stonewall Riots" in New York City in June of 1969. The riots were the turning point in the increased resistance to systemic oppression and harassment. A strong, diverse community of "Pride" has evolved since the riots and the ONA is proud to be part of the continuing struggle for the important challenges that remain - same-sex marriage, survivor pension benefits, hate crimes legislation and challenging homophobia and discrimination.

19 Jun 09 -- The summer solstice holds special significance for many Aboriginal groups that celebrate their heritage on June 21, the first day of summer. 

12 Jun 09 -- The nurses – members of the Ontario Nurses' Association – will see wage increases, gains in workload and staffing issues, improvements in health and safety issues and increases to premiums over the two-year agreement.

This Injured Workers' Day marks the 26th anniversary of the day when more than 3,000 workers gathered at the Legislative Assembly to participate in public hearings on workers' compensation and highlight the principle that injury should not mean poverty.

28 May 09 -- The "Good Jobs for All" rally and march will highlight the need to fix employment insurance and protect pensions. 

26 May 09 -- ONA's November Provincial Coordinators Meeting (PCM) is being held in Toronto at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel, 100 Front Street West, Toronto from November 11-12, 2009. The annual Human Rights and Equity Caucus is on November 10 and an Education Day is slated for November 13.

19 May 09 -- As more people are being sent home “quicker and sicker,” family members are taking on more frequent and complex caregiving responsibilities than in the past. In 2002, more than 1.4 million Canadians 45 years of age and over combined paid employment and care to older adults, and most caregivers worked full-time.

12 May 09 -- ONA's 54,000 registered nurses, registered practical nurses and allied health professionals, and 10,000 nursing students, are celebrating Nursing Week, May 11-17, 2009.

8 May 09 -- To review CFNU's policy directive,

21 Apr 09 -- Celebrated from April 19 to 25, National Medical Laboratory Week recognizes the hard work and dedication of medical laboratory professionals.

2 Apr 09 --

Musculoskeletal disorders are injuries and disorders of the muscles, tendons and nerves that can develop from ongoing exposure to heavy lifting and carrying, forceful exertions, repetitive work and awkward postures.

16 Mar 09 -- The Leadership Development Program will consist of 10 female participants from ONA's designated groups – Aboriginal, Visible Minorities, Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgendered, Disabled, and Francophone. The program will encourage participants to share their own experiences, to vision, engage in discussion and debate, and provide skills and information sharing. It will promote group interaction and support.

16 Mar 09 -- ONA launched its "Cutting Nurses, Cutting Care" campaign on February 9, 2009, in an effort to stop cuts to registered nursing positions and nursing care hours that threaten patient care.

6 Mar 09 -- ONA members marched from the Delta Chelsea Hotel to the front steps of Queen’s Park carrying signs reading “Stop Nursing Cuts, Save Patient Care” and distributing brochures to the public. Along the way, members shouted messages like “stop the cuts” and “cutting nurses, cutting care, when you need a nurse, who’ll be there?”

6 Mar 09 -- Events celebrating International Women's Day are held around the world. At many of these celebrations, the political and social awareness of the struggles of women worldwide are brought out and examined in a hopeful manner.

23 Feb 09 -- To take its Cutting Nurses, Cutting Care campaign to the next level, ONA is airing television ads that are intended to educate Ontarians of the serious consequences of cutting registered nursing positions and hours of care. The television commercials will air across the province until March 6. Also, transit shelter ads and billboards will run Cutting Nurses, Cutting Care ads in numerous cities across Ontario.

17 Feb 09 -- Each year, ONA members have the opportunity to apply for ONA's three bursaries.

11 Feb 09 -- According to WSIB statistics, RSIs account for more than 40 per cent of all lost-time injury claims. Unfortunately, many work-related repetitive strain injuries, like shoulder and back strains, go unreported to the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) and many that are reported are turned down by WSIB.

10 Feb 09 -- The "Cutting Nurses, Cutting Care" campaign, which launched on February 9, is an effort to stop cuts to registered nursing positions and nursing care hours that threaten patient care.

3 Feb 09 -- Black History Month, celebrated each February in Canada and the United Sates, is an opportunity to share the historical and current contributions of African Canadians and African Americans in areas such as medicine, public service, education, art, culture, economic development, politics and human rights.

3 Feb 09 -- The Leadership Development Program will consist of 10 female participants from ONA's designated groups – Aboriginal, Visible Minorities, Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgendered, Disabled, and Francophone. The program will encourage participants to share their own experiences, to vision, engage in discussion and debate, and provide skills and information sharing.

23 Jan 09 -- Article 9.08(a) of the hospital central collective agreement addresses student supervision. It reads as follows:

20 Jan 09 -- The Ontario Nurses’ Association is going to arbitration this week to try to stop the layoffs of registered nurses at Toronto East General Hospital. The hospital is seeking to layoff 36 patient care coordinators, replacing them with supervisors.

25 Nov 08 -- More than 750 ONA members and leaders gathered at Toronto’s Royal York Hotel to discuss health care issues, Union business and make key decisions affecting ONA members across the province.

18 Nov 08 -- The 2008 Biennial Convention will be an extraordinary event as ONA celebrates its 35th anniversary! To mark the occasion, ONA members from across Ontario will gather at Toronto’s Royal York Hotel to participate in the Convention and attend a gala dinner featuring the rock band, The Carpet Frogs.

7 Nov 08 -- This year\'s televote for the five ONA regional Vice-Presidents closed on November 1, 2008 at midnight. The results are as follows:

4 Nov 08 -- ONA\'s Medical Radiation Technologists-Radiation Therapists - MRT(T) - join with their colleagues in cancer treatment across Canada to celebrate national MRT(T) Week from November 2 to 8, 2008