Hastings and Prince Edward Counties/Aug. 18, 2023
Nursing staff at Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH), who are represented by the Ontario Nurses’ Association (ONA), have voted to reject the fair and reasonable contract offered by HPEPH. They are exercising their legal right to strike. The first day of the strike will be Monday, August 21. Visitors to HPEPH offices should be prepared to be delayed by a picket line. All HPEPH offices remain open and certain critical services are continuing.
The health and well-being of our community is our top priority and, as has been shared over the past few weeks, plans are in place to address the disruption in services. Certain critical services will continue throughout the duration of work stoppage to ensure public safety. Some services will be temporarily interrupted or offered in an alternate manner. Please refer to the Service Disruption Notice.
The patience and understanding of the community are appreciated as we work to ensure that service disruptions are minimized.
“I want to assure the community that in preparing the offer to our nurses, and throughout negotiations, we have worked diligently to balance their needs with the needs of our other employees and our clients. While we are disappointed that ONA members have chosen to reject our offer, we recognize that it is their legal right to strike,” says Dr. Ethan Toumishey, Medical Officer of Health and CEO at HPEPH. “We are optimistic that ONA will reconsider the offer we presented and full regular service can resume.”
If you are coming to the HPEPH offices, here are a few things to keep in mind regarding the picket line:
- Picketers can’t stop visitors and clients from entering the property, although some delays should be expected. If you have an appointment, give yourself extra time.
- Picketing is a legal activity. Please be respectful of the picketers.
- Picketers are allowed to communicate information to the individuals entering the property (e.g. hand out flyers).
- Picketing should not include threats, intimidation, or aggressive behaviour.
- Do not force your way through the picket line; wait until the path is open and proceed carefully. Pedestrians always have the right of way.
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For more information contact:
Maureen Hyland, Communications Specialist
hyland.maureen@hpeph.ca
Jessica Klein, Communications Specialist
jklein@hpeph.ca
About Hastings Prince Edward Public Health
Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH) is a public health agency that serves the counties of Hastings and Prince Edward from four local offices. HPEPH is situated and provides services on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe, Huron-Wendat and Haudenosaunee people. We monitor the health of our local population, deliver programs and services within our communities, and help develop healthy public policies. We provide information and support in many areas to help improve the health and well-being of our residents. Together with our communities, we help people become as healthy as they can be. For more information, please visit hpePublicHealth.ca. You can also find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram.
We invite community partners and residents to share this notice with their respective networks.
