Allied Health Professionals, RNs ratify new three-year contract agreement

More than 3,000 Registered Nurses and Allied Health Professionals working in 10 of Ontario's Community Care Access Centres (CCACs) have voted to ratify a new three-year contract.

The contract covers Ontario Nurses' Association (ONA) members who coordinate care for Ontarians through the Central, Central East, Erie St. Clair, Hamilton Niagara Haldimand Brant, North East, North Simcoe Muskoka, North West, South East, South West and Waterloo Wellington CCACs.

These health professionals are Registered Nurses, Nurse Practitioners, Registered Practical Nurses, physiotherapists, speech therapists, occupational therapists, respiratory therapists, social workers, Registered Dietitians and support staff, helping clients and patients navigate the complex health care system to access the health services they need.

Members held ratification meetings at 30 sites across the province yesterday.

ONA President Linda Haslam-Stroud, RN notes that "as health care professionals, our members working in the CCACs are the foundation of community health care and provide enormous value to the health care system. They bring invaluable skills, knowledge and judgement to the more than nine million Ontarians who can benefit from their services. Whether it be access to speech therapy for a school child or access to home care services that enable a senior to stay at home longer, our Case Managers, Placement Coordinators, Nurse Practitioners and Allied Health Professionals ensure Ontarians have the care they need, when they need it and where they need it."

The new agreement expires on March 31, 2014. ONA expects that the employer will complete its ratification process by October 7, after which details of the agreement will be available.

Source: ONTARIO NURSES' ASSOCIATION