Dear ONA34 Members,
As we welcome the month of August, I hope that each of you has had an opportunity to enjoy some of the slower moments that summer can bring. Whether you are taking vacation, spending time with loved ones, enjoying the sunshine, or simply catching your breath between shifts, I hope you are finding time to rest and recharge.
Nursing is demanding work, and the care you provide every day makes a difference in the lives of our patients and their families. Summer serves as an important reminder that caring for ourselves’ is just as important as caring for others.
Advocacy in Action
While many of us may be enjoying some well-earned down time, ONA Local 34 continues to work diligently on behalf of more than 4,500 members across Trillium Health Partners.
Over the past several months, your Local has remained actively engaged in advocating for members on a wide range of issues, including:
- Challenging inappropriate scheduling practices and mandatory overtime concerns.
- Addressing changes to posted schedules without member consultation or consent.
- Advocating for members impacted by payroll, pension, and benefit concerns.
- Supporting members through attendance management, accommodation, and respectful workplace matters.
- Raising workplace health and safety concerns through the Joint Health and Safety Committee process.
- Engaging the employer regarding leave administration, documentation, and mandatory education practices.
Advocacy takes many forms. Sometimes it is visible through member communications and grievances; other times, it happens quietly through meetings with the hospital leadership, consultations with individual members or units, and countless conversations aimed at finding solutions and protecting members’ rights.
Know Your Rights
Labour Relations is built on principles of fairness, accountability, and solidarity.
Employers have management rights, but those rights are not unlimited. They must be exercised reasonably and in accordance with the collective agreement, legislation, and established labour relations principles. Likewise, members have rights and entitlements that deserve protection.
Your collective agreement exists because nurses before us stood together and advocated for better working conditions, fair compensation, and safe workplaces. Every workload report submitted, every concern raised, and every member who asks a question contributes to a stronger union.
Remember:
- You have the right to union representation.
- You have the right to raise patient safety concerns.
- You have the right to question practices that appear inconsistent with the collective agreement.
- You have the right to be treated with dignity and respect in the workplace.
Looking Ahead to Fall
As we move toward another busy season, ONA34 remains focused on continuing our advocacy efforts and ensuring members’ voices are heard.
In the coming months, we will continue to:
- Advocate for safe staffing and scheduling practices.
- Monitor employer policies that impact members.
- Support members navigating workplace challenges.
- Engage with hospital leadership on ongoing concerns.
- Provide education and resources to help members better understand their rights and entitlements.
We also continue to hold workload education sessions for members - Watch for more dates in the fall.
All members who have not already attended are encouraged to participate in one of the sessions.
We encourage members to stay engaged by reading ONA34 communications, participating in surveys, attending meetings when possible, and reaching out when concerns arise. If you are not receiving ONA34 communications,
please contact local034@ona.org
Thank you
Thank you for your continued dedication, professionalism, and commitment to one another. It is an honour to serve as your Bargaining Unit President and to advocate alongside such an extraordinary group of nurses.
On behalf of the ONA34 Executive Team, I wish you and your families a safe, relaxing, and enjoyable remainder of the summer. May August bring you opportunities to rest, recharge, and spend time with those who matter most.
In Solidarity,
Ann Scott
Bargaining Unit President
ONA Local 34
