FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 30, 2006
Ontario nursing HR
policy flawed: Experienced nurses need not apply for
grads-only positions
TORONTO: The Ontario Public
Service Employees Union says Ontario hospitals should open any
and all new full-time nursing positions to experienced nurses
including those now working part-time, not just new graduates.
The provincial government’s
recent promise that all graduating nurses would have
“guaranteed jobs” could mean by-passing experienced RNs and
RPNs now working part-time for new full-time positions.
A recent job advertisement in
Grey Bruce Health Services (GBHS) was for new graduates (past
12 months) only, at all six hospital sites.
OPSEU Local 260 is filing
grievances because GBHS failed to post positions internally
and failed to inform the union, says Local President Jill
McIllwraith. “Experienced nurses have been told they need not
apply for these new full-time positions,” she said. “Union
members were denied job application forms, and were told by
human resources to ‘complain to their MP’(sic).”
“This is a slap in the face for
nurses, here and across the province, who have worked hard,
battled infectious diseases, and put their patients first for
years, and now see nothing but disrespect from their employer
and the McGuinty government.”
OPSEU says the government seems
to be making up health care policy as it goes along, without
thinking of the consequences.
-30-
For further information:
Jill McIllwraith, OPSEU Local
260 GBHS 519-270-5200
David Cox, OPSEU
Communications, 1-800-268-7376
