Nurses and health-care professionals at the North York Family Health Team went on strike Oct. 20 over the failure to reach a first collective agreement with their employer.
The 44 workers, who provide care to approximately 95,000 people, walked off the job after negotiations broke down, according to the Ontario Nurses’ Association. The union said the main issue is wage increases.
“It is despicable that the board of this organization has failed to treat the highly educated nurses, social workers, dietitians, pharmacists, physician assistant and others with the respect they so deserve by negotiating a contract with fair wage increases,” said Erin Ariss, provincial president of the Ontario Nurses’ Association. “The 44 nurses and health-care professionals at the NYFHT are the backbone of this organization, providing high-quality primary care alongside the family physicians they support.”
Workers voted with an overwhelming majority in favour of strike action before last-ditch mediation talks failed to produce an agreement.
Funding dispute
The union said the provincial government provided additional funds over three years to primary care providers to improve retention and recruitment, including through wage increases. The North York Family Health Team received this money but used it to address fiscal mismanagement and a budget deficit, according to the union.
“ONA is demanding that NYFHT redirect the funds back to the appropriate place and settle a fair first collective agreement with wage increases for their staff,” Ariss said. “We are also calling on the government to hold this health team’s board of directors accountable to use funding as directed by the government – for retention and recruitment of staff.”
Workers on strike
The striking workers include 18 registered nurses, three nurse practitioners, two registered practical nurses, eight social workers, four registered dietitians, three pharmacists, a physician assistant, a chiropodist, a data manager and three clinical coordinators and office administrators.
The Ontario Nurses’ Association represents more than 68,000 registered nurses and health-care professionals, as well as 18,000 nursing student affiliates. Members work in hospitals, long-term care facilities, public health, community settings, clinics and industry.
