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Unifor is calling on a mediator to help address key outstanding issues as bargaining continues for nearly 2,000 hospital workers across northern Ontario, with a focus on achieving stability and respect for frontline care.
“This round of bargaining is about fairness, and our hospital workers deserve so much more,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “Workers doing the same jobs, in the same hospitals, should not be paid differently or have access to different benefits—our members are feeling utterly disrespected.”
Negotiations between Unifor and the Ontario Hospital Association (OHA), which bargains on behalf of the Northern Hospital Group, began virtually on March 10, with in-person bargaining from March 24–27 in Thunder Bay.
Workers in multiple bargaining units, represented by Unifor Locals 229 and 1359, are seeking parity with other hospital workers in the region, including improvements to wages, vacation entitlements, benefits, and shift premiums, as well as an end to longstanding disparities that have created unequal working conditions across the hospital system.
“These disparities are undermining morale, driving workers out of hospitals, and making it harder to retain the skilled staff our public health care system needs and depends on,” said Unifor Ontario Regional Director Samia Hashi.
Unifor says the lack of consistency across multiple union bargaining units has contributed to ongoing challenges, where hospitals are already under pressure from staffing shortages and increased workloads.
“When members can leave one unit or hospital for another down the road with better pay or benefits, it creates instability across the entire system,” said Unifor Local 1359 President Cathy Humalamaki.
Unifor members in these facilities include service workers such as registered practical nurses (RPNs), personal support workers (PSWs), maintenance staff, communications officers, porters and cleaners. They also include paramedical staff such as diagnostic imaging and laboratory technicians, physiotherapists and pharmacy technicians, as well as clerical workers who keep hospital operations running smoothly.
“We need to close these gaps, not widen them. A fair and equitable agreement is critical to ensuring patients receive the care they deserve,” said Unifor Local 229 President Kari Jefford.
Hospitals represented by Unifor Local 229 include Atikokan Health and Community Services, Geraldton District Hospital, Santé Manitouwadge Health, Nipigon District Memorial Hospital, the North of Superior Healthcare Group, and St. Joseph’s Care.
Hospitals represented by Unifor Local 1359 include St. Joseph’s General Hospital, Sault Area Hospital and Lady Dunn Health Centre.
