Over 40 registered nurses at Lambton Public Health are hoping to reach a collective agreement soon.
The Ontario Nurses' Association (ONA) members have headed into conciliation this week, demanding a fair contract with the County of Lambton.
RN and ONA Provincial President Erin Ariss said public health nurses are the first line of defense to keep our communities strong and healthy through illness prevention.
“Lambton Public Health nurses are demanding fair wages and are no longer willing to put themselves and their own welfare last," said Ariss. "Nurses need a fair new contract so they can continue providing the care Lambton residents need and deserve.”
The nurses support workplaces, families, schools and health-care settings.
“Since well before the pandemic, nurses have struggled to be able to take time off for themselves and their families," Ariss said. "The lack of support and respect are two of the many reasons nurses leave their job. If Lambton Public Health wants these nurses to stay, they need to negotiate a fair new contract that values and respects these workers.”
The nurses offer a wide range of specialized services, clinics and classes including prenatal, healthy babies, healthy children, immunization and sexual health clinics, and harm reduction programs.
The ONA represents 68,000 registered nurses and health-care professionals in Ontario, and 18,000 nursing students who provide care in hospitals, long-term care facilities, public health, the community, clinics and industry.