In this episode, the Gritty Nurses discuss a recent arbitration decision that will increase wages of nurses part of the Ontario Nurses Association (ONA) by 11% over the next 2 years. They discuss their thoughts and opinions of this wage increase that was so badly needed and well-deserved by nurses! Although this win was historic for nurses in Ontario--not all nurses get this pay bump. Listen to hear the positives, and what is still needed after a step in the right direction.

Bill 124:

In 2019, the Ford government introduced and passed Bill 124, wage-suppression legislation negatively impacting registered nurses, nurse practitioners, health-care professionals and other public-sector workers. This bill limits wage increases to a maximum of one per cent total compensation for each of three years.

Bill 124 Reopener:

This is on top of the previous decision by Arbitrator Stout that allocated additional wage increases of 0.75 per cent and 1.0 per cent, effective April 1 of 2020 and 2021, respectively. Hospital members also received unlimited mental health coverage in this decision.

ONA members working in the charitable nursing homes sector will receive an additional 0.75 per cent in each of three years, effective July 1 of 2021, 2022 and 2023.

ONA arbitration decision July 20, 2023:

The arbitration decision provides average wage increases of 11 per cent over two years. When added to two additional recent arbitration decisions stemming from the overturn of Bill 124 – wage suppression legislation passed by the Ford government – Ontario hospital RNs and health-care professionals will receive wage increases that average 16 per cent from March 31, 2023 to April 1, 2024. This amounts to an average hourly wage increase of approximately $5 to $7.

References

Bill 124- Ontario Nurses Association

ONA press release, July 20, 2023