Dear ONA34 Members:
The Hospital Association Committee (HAC) meeting was held on April 23, 2026. HAC provides ONA34 an important opportunity to work with the hospital to address important issues and concerns that affect ONA34 members. Below you will find highlights from the meeting.
Attendance Management Policy
ONA raised concerns regarding the hospital’s implementation of their Attendance Management Program. ONA confirmed that the hospital’s threshold is currently set at four (4) incidents and forty (40) hours of illness in a six-month period. ONA raised concerns that the hospital’s thresholds are too low given that most ONA members work extended tours. It is not unusual for ONA members working extended tours to require a full set of shifts off when they are ill. ONA stated that if the threshold is too low, members may consider returning to work before they should in an effort to avoid being placed on the Attendance Management Program. ONA requested that the hospital share how the thresholds were determined and how these thresholds compare to the current average time lost due to illness for ONA members. The hospital stated that they understood ONA’s concerns, and that many managers were asking similar questions. The hospital committed to taking back ONA’s feedback to the appropriate committee and decision makers.
Communication to ONA34 Members regarding the implementation of the Attendance Management Program was sent to members on April 27, 2026. ONA34 members are encouraged to review this communication and forward any questions or concerns to local034@ona.org.
Seniority List Errors
ONA raised concerns that the posted seniority lists continue to have errors when posted. The hospital apologized for this and encouraged members with concerns about inaccuracies in the posted seniority list to connect with their managers directly. The manager will then connect with HR to review and correct the error if appropriate.
ONA encourages members to review the seniority list when posted and to raise any concerns about inaccuracies/errors as soon as possible.
Union Dues Deductions
ONA confirmed with the hospital that ONA Union Dues are not to be deducted any month that an ONA member does not work. This includes when members are on extended leaves of absence including maternity leave. ONA also confirmed that when members return from extended leaves of absence, including maternity leave, there is no repayment or catch-up of ONA Dues. The hospital agreed that this should not be happening and committed to reviewing this with Payroll to ensure that similar errors do not continue to happen.
ONA encourages members returning from extended leaves, particularly maternity leave, to connect with your managers directly, and request that they confirm with payroll that no catch-up of ONA Dues will be made. If members have ONA Dues deducted in error, please contact local034@ona.org and we will escalate this issue immediately.
ONA Orientation
Concerns about ONA not being provided thirty (30) minutes of time with new ONA members who bridged from RPN to RN was raised. ONA typically meets with new ONA members during hospital orientation. RNs who bridged from RPN are not included in hospital orientation and therefore are not being provided with an opportunity to meet with ONA. This is causing new ONA members not to be included in ONA communications. The hospital is reviewing and will find a solution to this concern.
ONA Unit Reps are reminded to contact local034@ona.org when they are aware of new RNs who bridged from RPN while employed at THP. ONA Unit Reps are also encouraged to ensure that all new RNs to their unit have updated ONA34 with their personal email addresses so that they will receive communication from ONA34. Members not receiving communication from ONA34 should update their information by contacting local034@ona.org.
Violent Patient Identification
ONA continues to advocate for improved violent patient identification processes to better protect members. The hospital has acknowledged that this is a priority issue and has advised that working groups have been established and began meeting in March 2026. ONA advocated for stronger frontline representation in the hospital decision-making for addressing violence in the workplace. ONA is advocating for the inclusion of ONA members and other frontline healthcare workers on committees responsible for addressing violent patients and workplace violence. It is our clear position that those most directly impacted by violence in the workplace must have a voice in shaping the policies, procedures and safeguards intended to protect staff.
Please continue to report incidents of patient violence to your manager and health and safety representatives.
These updates reflect members ongoing concerns and the importance of bringing issues forward. Positive resolutions are achieved when members raise concerns and ONA brings them forward in a coordinated, persistent way. Thank you for continuing to speak up and support one another.
If you have questions or encounter issues related to any of the above, please do not hesitate to reach out to ONA at local034@ona.org
In solidarity,
Ann Scott,
ONA34
Bargaining Unit President local034@ona.org