Ontario nurses have announced their frustration today after negotiations with provincial hospitals fell through.
An announcement released by the Ontario Nurses Association (ONA) revealed that — after lengthy deliberations — talks around adequate staffing for nurses have stalled out.
As a result, the ongoing dispute will go into arbitration this April, where a neutral third party will review arguments from the ONA and their opposition — the Ontario Hospital Association (OHA).
For members of the ONA however, this process seems all too familiar.
“Negotiating with the OHA is like Groundhog Day The OHA tabled regressive, concessionary proposals. They opposed our demand for safe staffing by introducing nursing ratios. A deal cannot be achieved when those on the other side of the table are so completely disrespectful,” said the president of the ONA, Arin Harris, in an official statement.
Details surrounding negotiations between the ONA and OHA mainly encompass nurse-to-patient ratios …