“This legislation is nothing but a continued attack on the right to free collective bargaining without interference, as was affirmed in 2015 in a Supreme Court of Canada ruling. More alarming is the fact that this legislation could likely deepen the already serious nursing shortage in Ontario, and have negative effects on health care and public safety.”“Bill 124 is the statute that the Ontario government passed that caps compensation increases below the cost of living to a maximum of one per cent annually for some – but not all – Ontario public-sector workers. It is clear that this government is targeting public-sector workers who are female for wage suppression. It has exempted those in male-dominated professions, such as firefighters and police, from the effect of the bill.”- ONA President Vicki McKenna, RN.

2020 the year of the nurse, the year of Covid-19...and this year the Ontario Government showed us how they appreciated us by slapping us with a measly 1% increase, when our other essential counterparts were awarded with increases varying from 1.65 to 2.5%! Give us back our right to free collective bargaining! Bill 124 discriminates against all the hardworking nurses in Ontario, and we want out now!