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Nearly 100 Unifor hospital members from across Ontario gathered in Toronto from May 21–23 for the union’s Hospital Bargaining Conference to begin shaping the priorities for the next round of bargaining amid growing challenges across the sector.
“Hospital workers in this province have been pushed to the brink,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “We need a bargaining agenda that’s grounded in reality—the lived experience of our members.”
The conference brought together registered practical nurses, personal support workers, clerical staff, cleaners and more—many of whom shared first-hand experiences of unsafe staffing levels, burnout and technological changes that are reshaping hospital work without input from frontline staff.
“We’ve made important gains over the last two rounds, but we know this round will be different,” said Ontario Regional Director Samia Hashi. “The pressures are real. That’s why this conference was about more than just preparing for bargaining—it was about building unity and power.”
Throughout the three-day gathering, members discussed bargaining trends, identified urgent workplace issues and completed a province-wide survey that will help inform Unifor’s strategy at the bargaining table.
Sessions covered political mobilization, pay equity, digital scheduling tools, and the broader economic and legislative context facing Ontario’s public hospitals. Members also heard from the Ontario Health Coalition and explored ways to organize and escalate pressure as negotiations approach.
The conference emphasized the value of direct participation. Workers were not only consulted—they were central in identifying issues, challenging assumptions, and shaping what comes next. The agenda going forward will be built from the ground up, rooted in the realities shared in the room.
To view photos from the conference, click here
