The Ontario Nurses’ Association has won the right to represent 6,000 health-care professionals working at Ontario Health atHome, following a province-wide vote conducted by the Ontario Labour Relations Board.
The vote marks the conclusion of a two-year reorganization process that began when the provincial government merged 14 regional Ontario Health atHome branches into a single entity in 2024. Workers were previously represented by several different unions across the province.
The labour board divided more than 8,000 Ontario Health atHome employees into two bargaining units: a professional unit covering 6,000 workers and a clerical and support unit representing 2,000 workers. The Ontario Nurses’ Association won representation rights for the professional unit, which includes registered nurses, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, and other licensed health-care providers.
What the union says
“We are incredibly proud and thrilled to have earned the trust and support of thousands of Ontario Health atHome health-care professionals,” said Erin Ariss, provincial president of the Ontario Nurses’ Association.
Ariss said the union campaigned on its track record in collective bargaining and workplace advocacy. “OHaH staff were clear about what they wanted: a union with a proven record of winning strong wages, delivering results at the bargaining table, and showing up in workplaces to fight for members,” she said.
The union held workplace meetings, town halls, and direct outreach during the campaign period.
Next steps
The Ontario Nurses’ Association now enters collective bargaining with Ontario Health atHome management on behalf of the 6,000-member professional bargaining unit.
The union represents 68,000 health-care professionals and 18,000 nursing student affiliates working in hospitals, long-term care facilities, public health units, community care settings, and clinics across Ontario.
A separate representation vote for the 2,000-member clerical and support bargaining unit has not been announced.
