The union for Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance staff say they aren’t satisfied with how their hospital employers and Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s provincial government are treating them.
The employees, including registered practical nurses, personal support workers and environmental cleaners, are taking part in socially distanced rallies this week including one in Stratford on Tuesday.
The employees are among nearly 70,000 hospital workers across Ontario currently negotiating a new provincial contract.
They say a provincial policy, Bill 124, restricts them to a wage increase less than 1/3 of the rate of inflation while also impacting hospital workers’ ability to negotiate much-needed increases to mental health supports.
Along with having the bill repealed, they also want concessions, including language around seniority and retirement packages, taken off the table.
The rally in Stratford starts at 11:30 a.m. with another taking place in Seaforth on Thursday.
Talks are expected to pick back up between the two sides in September.
