Contract talks between public health nurses and their employer, the Windsor Essex County Health Unit, are headed to conciliation after failing to reach a new collective agreement.
The over 75 nurses represented by the Ontario Nurses' Association are looking for better wages and hours of work.
"Windsor Essex public health nurses have among the lowest public health wages in the province," says Erin Ariss, RN and ONA Provincial President. "Without fair wages and hours of work, public health nurses in Windsor Essex County cannot provide the high-quality services and care residents need and deserve."
The ONA says the employer's proposed wage increases do not keep pace with inflation and rising costs.
"The employer has shared plans to expand their programs and services, adding to the workload of their dedicated nurses, all while refusing to pay them fairly. This will do nothing to retain the skills and expertise of the nurses who keep Windsor Essex residents healthy and safe," says Ariss.
The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit declined to comment while negotiations are ongoing.
The first conciliation meeting will be held on September 20, 2024.
Public health nurses will hold an information picket outside the health unit offices on Thursday, September 19 between 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. No strike action is planned at this time.