Community Care Access Centre workers across the province went on strike today, including about 260 employees of the Erie St. Clair CCAC.
The Ontario Nurses’ Association (ONA) said workers, which include: registered nurses, nurse practitioners, registered practical nurses, social workers, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists and allied health professionals, have been seeking “very small wage increases” equal to the percentages given to the other 57,000 members of ONA in the hospital, public health and long-term care sectors.
“Shame on these employers for putting Registered Nurses, Health Care Professionals and our patients at risk by forcing us to withdraw our care,” stated Linda Haslam-Stroud, president of the ONA . “We care for our patients in their homes, schools and communities and are your community health advocates.”
The CCAC members had a two-year wage freeze in their last contract, which expired March 31 last year.
Nine of the bargaining units across the province voted to strike, while Hamilton reached an agreement.
Locally, the Erie St. Clair CCAC helps connect patients to supports and resources in the communities of Chatham-Kent, Sarnia-Lambton and Windsor-Essex.
They recently were a part of our Wellness in Wallaceburg feature, read they story here.
ONA represents 60,000 registered nurses and other health professionals.
