Attention News Editors:

Ontario Nurses' Association Nursing Home-Sector Members Meet: Details of Proposed New Contract Revealed

    TORONTO, Nov. 3 /CNW/ - Representatives for Ontario nursing home sector
registered nurses are meeting today in Toronto to hear details about a new
negotiated Collective Agreement.
    The new three-year proposed agreement for Ontario Nurses' Association
(ONA) members includes an increase of 10.75 per cent and some health and
welfare benefit, premium and vacation improvements. The agreement covers
approximately 1,200 registered nurses who work in nursing homes in the
province.
    "ONA focused its negotiations efforts on the issues our members told us
are their priorities," said Linda Haslam-Stroud, RN, ONA President. "Member
research revealed that wages and benefits improvements were priorities, and we
are pleased that a contract could be negotiated with representatives from the
province's nursing home sector."
    Further details of the proposed agreement will be discussed with ONA
Local Coordinators and Bargaining Unit Presidents today in Toronto, and ONA
members will hold ratification votes during the week of November 6. Results of
the provincial ratification will be announced on November 21.

    ONA is the union representing 52,500 front-line registered nurses and
allied health professionals working in Ontario hospitals, long-term care
facilities, public health, the community and industry.

For further information: Ontario Nurses' Association, Karen Rheault,
(416) 964-8833, ext. 2452