Striking Public Health Nurses Care for the Needy: Nurses will be cooking a meal, donating supplies to Shelter House

THUNDER BAY, ON, Nov. 16, 2018 /CNW/ - Striking public health nurses in Thunder Bay will continue their care for the most vulnerable Saturday as they help with meal preparation and serving dinner to those using the services of Shelter House.

"As nurses, the core of what we do is care for people," said Ontario Nurses' Association President Vicki McKenna, RN.

"Our public health nurses have not been able to provide their services to the community because of being forced to strike, yet have put their time on the picket lines to good use by collecting donations for vulnerable people in the community."

McKenna says that "20 of our members ? some with their children or family members ? will bring donated toiletries and warm socks and supplies that are needed, and will prepare and feed up to 175 people at Shelter House on Saturday evening."

The public health nurses will also be joined by retired nurses in the region, who will also volunteer their time.

"Thunder Bay public health nurses may be on the picket lines, but their caring can't be stopped by a strike," said McKenna.

ONA is the union representing more than 65,000 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.

SOURCE Ontario Nurses Association