Region of Waterloo Public Health Nurses Ratify a New Three-Year Collective Agreement

KITCHENER, ON., March 14, 2023 – The Ontario Nurses’ Association (ONA) is pleased to announce that a new collective agreement has been ratified by Region of Waterloo Public Health Unit Nurses and their employer.

“We are happy that Region of Waterloo Public Health Nurses will not be forced to withdraw their valuable services from those they serve,” says ONA Interim Provincial President Bernie Robinson, RN. “Our Public Health Nurses have shown remarkable dedication and have been working beyond long hours, seven days a week for the people of this Region. This new collective agreement provides improvements to their working conditions that will begin to allow an improved work-life balance.”

Highlights of the agreement include access to personal paid time for temporary full-time and part-time nurses, extended health and dental benefits for those who work past age 65, and modest wage increases in each of the three years of the contract.

“Waterloo Public Health Nurses were without a contract from July 2022,” notes Robinson. “After months of challenging bargaining, ONA members reached the deal on the second day of conciliation. It does not include any of the concessions sought by the employer. Our members say the agreement is fair and demonstrates the respect nurses have earned for the extraordinary work they continue to do.”

Public Health Nurses say they continue to be determined to provide the best possible services to their communities.

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 facilities, public health, the community, clinics and industry.

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