Ball is in OHA’s court: OPSEU

TORONTO - It’s time for the Ontario Hospital Association (OHA) to get serious about bargaining a new collective agreement with over 5,000 hospital professionals, their union says.

“After the events of today, the ball is now more than ever in the OHA’s court,” said OPSEU president Leah Casselman. “They know that hospitals depend on hospital professionals. They know staff shortages are hurting patient care. They know how furious our members are at waiting over 300 days for a contract.

“The OHA can improve health care. They can work with us to address the shortage of hospital professionals by working towards a collective agreement that makes wages competitive now.”

Casselman made the remarks after OPSEU’s first Hospital Emergency Day of Action, a mass protest by hospital professionals at 40 hospitals involved in central bargaining with the OHA.

“Our members braved threats, intimidation, and bitter cold to make this day a stunning success,” she said, “and we did it professionally, without endangering patient safety in any way.

“We know we educated the public about the work we do. We hope we woke up the OHA.”

Casselman said the union will fight any discipline or legal action arising from the Day of Action. She noted that several hospitals have already informed OPSEU members that no disciplinary action will be taken.

Toronto’s Mount Sinai hospital today became the fourth major hospital to back an OPSEU proposal to settle the contract dispute.

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For further information:

David Cox: 416-443-8888 (ext 314) or cell 416-788-9197 or dcox@opseu.org  
Randy Robinson: 416-448-7441 or cell 416-788-9134 or rrobinson@opseu.org
Katie FitzRandolph: 416-448-7440 or cell 416-788-9057 or kfitzrandolph@opseu.org