Televote 2008: Get Ready to Vote for ONA VPs!
14 Aug 08 -- This fall, ONA members will have their democratic say in a televote for the five ONA regional Vice-Presidents with portfolios.The ONA Board of Directors makes important decisions on behalf of members every day, so it's important for members to have a say in its formation.
ONA members please log onto the member site to learn more.
RN Staffing Reductions, Service Cutbacks Threaten Rural Communities; Safety of Vulnerable Patients At Risk
Toronto, 14 August 2008
Nurses' jobs recession proof
13 Aug 08 -- A new study released by Jobfox.com says nurses were statistically the most-wanted professional in July, with aggressive hiring activity occurring.St. Joseph's Healthcare Slashing RN Positions
29 Jul 08 -- The Ontario Nurses’ Association (ONA) has been told by St. Joseph’s Healthcare management that it is slashing nine full-time registered nursing positions, saying they are “surplus.”ONA President Linda Haslam-Stroud, RN, says this is just the latest cuts of registered nurses in Ontario, a move that makes no sense in view of the severe nursing shortage and threats to quality patient care.
“How any hospital in Ontario can consider slashing the number of RN positions is a mystery,” notes Haslam-Stroud. “RNs are in critically short supply, and to cut them even further is ludicrous. The nine cuts are just the beginning at St. Joseph’s – ONA knows that the hospital is planning a number of other reductions, which it has yet to share publicly.”
Cuts will spread across many different programs, including geriatrics. One of ONA’s biggest concerns is the reduction of almost 7,300 hours of nursing care annually for our frail elderly patients.
The hospital has no intention of following the Collective Agreement, including the layoff language and plans to force the affected nurses – who have up to 31 years of seniority – to merely fill vacant positions in the hospital. Local 75 President Donna Bain, RN, says ONA will file grievances as the elimination of these positions constitutes improper layoffs.
“Our patients will lose the quality patient care these experienced RNs provide,” says Bain. “The elimination of these positions equals a reduction of almost 18,000 hours of nursing care annually. Yet again, an Ontario hospital is trying to balance its budget on the backs of RNs.”
St. Joseph’s vision statement says, ‘We will serve all in need of healing.’ Registered nurses can only serve their patients if there are RNs there to provide quality care.
ONA is the union representing 54,000 registered nurses and allied health professionals working in hospitals, long-term care, public health, the community and industry.
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St. Joseph’s Healthcare Slashing RN Positions
Toronto, 29 July 2008
More staff will lower nursing home violation rates
28 Jul 08 -- Janet Lambert says Ontario has the second-lowest nursing home staffing levels in the country and more staff would improve the quality of residents' lives.ONA Agrees to Mediation to Settle CCAC Class Action Lawsuit
18 Jul 08 -- ONA legal counsel was recently approached by provincial government lawyers to enter into a joint mediation process in an effort to settle the class action lawsuits, initiated on behalf of our members working for CCACs and by OPSEU on behalf of its CCAC members.The suit was launched to redress the government’s failure to live up to its promise to ensure the transfer of their full pensionable service to the Hospitals of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP).
We view this as an opportunity to get a just, expedited and cost-effective result – short of going through the courts (and possibly the various appeal processes) over the next few years. As a result, we have agreed to participate in this process.