RNs and RPNs at SMGH vote to select Ontario Nurses' Association as their union

Oct 12 2009

Registered Nurses (RNs) and Registered Practical Nurses (RPNs) at the Strathroy Middlesex General Hospital (SMGH) have voted to make the Ontario Nurses' Association (ONA) their union.

In a vote held earlier this week, the nurses voted overwhelmingly (81 per cent) in favour of joining the provincial nurses' union.

"ONA is the voice of and advocate for nurses and allied health professionals, as well as more than 10,000 nursing students in Ontario," says ONA President Linda Haslam-Stroud, RN. "Nurses want to provide the quality care that our patients not only deserve, but require. We are incredibly pleased that Strathroy Middlesex General Hospital nurses are joining ONA so that we can work to improve working conditions and safety."

The nurses in Strathroy have expressed a number of concerns about their workplace, including workloads that are inconsistent with providing safe, quality patient care. They are very happy to be part of ONA which will advocate on their behalf.

The hospital serves approximately 35,000 residents in the province's second-fastest growing township. It is located in the Town of Strathroy, about 40 kilometers west of London, which is home to a population of 12,500. The hospital employs approximately 300 full-time and part-time staff.

ONA is the union representing 54,000 front-line registered nurses and allied health professionals and more than 10,000 nursing students providing care in hospitals, long-term care facilities, public health, the community, clinics and industry.