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Contract talks involving the union representing many hospital workers in Ontario are off to a rocky start.
The Council of Hospital Unions/Canadian Union of Public Employees says the Ontario Hospital Association’s central bargaining team, which negotiates on behalf of all provincial hospitals, is out looking for concessions workers won’t accept.
Union vice-president Luis Rodriguez is touring northwestern Ontario to speak to workers and give them an update on talks.
His tour is to also recognize the hard work and sacrifices workers have made during the pandemic.
He says the attitude toward those workers has dramatically changed over the past year.
“Doug Ford came out and called these people heroes. They are heroes, deserving heroes. But fast forward, we’re getting into bargaining. That’s things really soured for use,” says Rodriguez.
Rodriquez says the first offers presented by the hospital’s bargaining team have been insulting.
“It’s unbelievable the number of concessions. We want to assure these people that were going to bargain concessions. We’re going to do everything in our power not to do this.”
Rodriguez adds Bill 124, which limits the amount of wage increase to 1 per cent, makes it difficult to reach a fair agreement.
The hospital workers don’t have the right to strike but can stage information pickets and rallies in hopes of getting their message out.
The union is planning for a major gathering at Queen’s Park in September to put pressure on the Ford government.
