North Bay RNs choose Ontario Nurses' Association as their union

Apr 2 2011

Once again, Registered Nurses (RNs) with the North Bay Regional Health Centre have overwhelmingly voted to make the Ontario Nurses' Association (ONA) their union.

The RNs chose ONA after a vote was held in North Bay earlier this week. The vote was made necessary as a result of the merger of the North East Mental Health Centre (NEMHC) and North Bay General Hospital. RNs at North Bay General Hospital were represented by ONA; RNs at predecessor employer NEMHC were represented by the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU).

ONA President Linda Haslam-Stroud, RN is thrilled that the nurses have once again chosen ONA.

"ONA prides itself on being the leading voice of and advocate for registered nurses and allied health professionals in Ontario," she said. "We advocate for improved working conditions and safety for members, so that our nurses are able to provide quality patient care to the community. We welcome our new members from North Bay and Sudbury and look forward to providing excellent service to them."

Rhonda Millar, RN, is ONA Bargaining Unit President for North Bay. She says that eligible nurses came out to vote in strong numbers, and are "continuing to stand together to send a message to the employer that nurses strongly support ONA as their union."

ONA is the union representing 55,000 front-line RNs and allied health professionals and more than 12,000 nursing student affiliates providing care in Ontario hospitals, long-term care facilities, public health, the community, industry and clinics.

ONA believes that nurses are invaluable, and that dollar for dollar, they are the best value in health care.