/R E P E A T -- Media Advisory - Ontario Nurses' Association Members, Leaders to Hold Public Action for Better Staffing, Better Wages, Better Care/

TORONTO, April 4, 2023 /CNW/ - Local leaders and front-line members of the Ontario Nurses' Association (ONA) will hold a public action in the fight for better health care for patients and a better deal for the hospital nurses who care for them.

The group of registered nurses (RNs) and health-care professionals ? in the city to attend an ONA provincial leadership meeting ? will gather with labour supporters at the southeast corner of College and University at 10:45 am on Wednesday, April 5 to stage the action. ONA Interim Provincial President Bernie Robinson, RN, says the event is being held as nurses and health-care professionals are increasingly dealing with the implications of yet another disappointing provincial budget from the Ford government, the unprecedented push for privatization of health care, and the need for a new contract for hospital nurses and health-care professionals that includes better wages, better staffing and the ability to provide better care.

Robinson says that time is running out and nurses and health-care professionals as advocates are not stopping in their efforts to improve and maintain the public health care that all Ontarians deserve.

ONA and the Ontario Hospital Association (OHA) are headed to arbitration hearings at the beginning of May following the refusal of the OHA to negotiate a new collective agreement with its nurses and health-care professionals.

ONA is the union representing 68,000 registered nurses and health-care professionals as well as 18,000 nursing student affiliates, providing care in hospitals, long-term care, public health, the community, clinics and industry.

SOURCE Ontario Nurses' Association