Fairness and Protection

Every day, ONA fights for a fair workplace for nurses and health-care professionals, starting at the local level. We have achieved many significant enhancements to our members’ working conditions thanks in part to our provincial bargaining processes. 

As an ONA member, you have protection at your workplace against unfair practices and unsafe work conditions. Your workplace rights are outlined in a collective agreement (or contract.) 

 Your collective agreement (a legal contract between ONA and your employer) outlines your terms and conditions of employment, including pay rates and entitlements to such benefits as statutory holidays, vacations, sick leave, short- and long-term disability, pension and mileage. It contains clauses about seniority rights, job postings, job security, hours of work and the grievance procedure (including arbitration) used to enforce collective agreement rights. Most also include unique language about professional responsibility and workload — critical tools to protect health-care professionals and patients/clients/ residents that you won’t find anywhere else.  

ONA’s collective agreements are negotiated recognizing that you work in facilities that often operate 24/7, 365 days per year. Scheduling language ensures that work schedules are more predictable and help balance your personal life, which is so important to your overall well-being. 

Taking Action

We know how tough it is on the front lines. We’ve been yelled at, humiliated and put in harm’s way. But as a powerful and mature union, we will not be silenced. We speak up where we see employer policies and government decisions that impact our ability to provide quality care. And we don’t give up. After all, when we all come together on a common issue, we’re hard to ignore. 

ONA is a platform for local action. We’re a grassroots movement. It’s how we came to be and how we grow. Our specialists mobilize and empower members in developing and executing campaigns that tackle the unique issues faced in the workplace. 

We play an important role in influencing policy and making legislative changes to improve working conditions for health-care workers. Our government relations experts arrange regular meetings with government ministers, policymakers and legislators to ensure that our voice is heard loud and clear. 

We initiate major public awareness and advocacy campaigns on issues that impact nurses and health-care professionals. Our award-winning marketing campaigns spur thoughtful discussions and actions for positive change. 

Media relations help us gain public support for staffing levels, worker and patient safety, quality patient care in our various sectors, and other topics of concern.  

Union Dues

ONA membership dues are a flat rate – a set amount that you pay monthly through payroll deductions after your first collective agreement is ratified. You can deduct union dues from your taxable income. 

 The collection of union dues is a democratic and transparent process, from start to finish. ONA members decide at our Biennial Conventions on the structure and amount of dues, along with how they are spent. 

 The services ONA provides are funded by the dues our members pay. Over the past several years, the costs of supporting our members have increased substantially. We have stepped up our work in fighting for our workplace rights, supporting anti-racism initiatives, bargaining and negotiations, litigating in courts including Bill 124, mobilizing and campaigns, professional practice issues, providing base long-term disability for members not covered by their employer, malpractice insurance, pay equity work, technology, IT supports and equipment, education, and so much more. 

 Despite rising costs and increased demand, ONA’s Local and provincial leadership are committed to ensuring there are no cutbacks to the core services and advocacy our members need and deserve. 

Legal Expense Assistance Plan (LEAP)

ONA’s Legal Expense Assistance Plan was established in 1980 to help you with legal or regulatory body problems relating to your work. This includes problems that arise under Ontario’s Regulated Health Professions Act (RHPA). 

 Our LEAP Team can help with the following legal issues (certain terms and limitations apply): 

• Complaints or reports to your regulator college about your professional practice and reports about health issues like substance use disorders and mental health disorders. 
• Appeals of regulatory body decisions. 
• Complaints and reports to the Information and Information and Privacy Commissioner 
• Criminal investigations arising from a job-related incident. 
• Coroner’s investigations and inquests. 
• Advice if you’re called as a witness in a legal proceeding. 
• Advice about long-term care inspections. 

 All registered nurses, graduate nurses, and health-care professionals for whom ONA is the bargaining agent are covered by LEAP. 

Insurance and Benefits

As an ONA member, you have access to ONA’s benefits program through  Johnson Insurance. Your  ONA Base Plan is covered through your union dues ($2.50 per month), and includes: 

• Critical Illness Coverage (CI) 

• • ONA members under the age of 75 may be eligible for a lump sum benefit payment of $3,750 for part-time/casual members or $7,500 for full-time members without any additional premium if diagnosed with life threatening cancer, stroke, heart attack, benign brain tumour, coronary artery bypass surgery, aortic surgery, occupational HIV or Hepatitis C. 

• Long Term Disability Coverage (LTD) 

• • Base Plan disability income protection is the first step towards helping to protect one of your most valuable assets – your income! If you are under the age of 65 and you do not have employer-sponsored LTD coverage, you are covered and may be eligible for $250 of monthly LTD benefit, should you become disabled due to illness or injury. 

ONA members can also join the private ONA Members Facebook group.