Ontario Nurses’ Association Celebrates Unions’ Victory Against Gutting of Labour Rights

TORONTO, ON., November 7, 2022 – The Ontario Nurses’ Association (ONA) is celebrating a major win against the Ford government’s attempt to gut labour rights in this province through Bill 28, legislation targeting 55,000 CUPE education workers.

“ONA is celebrating the victory against the Ford government’s labour rights attack along with every union in Ontario,” says ONA regional Vice-President Erin Ariss, RN. “Bill 28 was written to destroy free collective bargaining and undermine unions.”

“The implications of Bill 28 were far too dangerous to go unchallenged, and rescinding this bill is a win for all workers in Ontario,” she says. “By using the notwithstanding clause to protect the illegal actions of this government, Premier Ford would have been left unchecked in continuing to impose contracts and conditions of employment and discarding collective bargaining at will.”

Ariss attended a media conference today with union leaders from across the country. ONA attributed the victory to the power of collective pressure.

“This win shows the power of solidarity, as unions and citizens expressed their support for workers. ONA remains in solidarity with education workers as they continue to seek a fair contract,” says Ariss.

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