Doctors approve deal on arbitration

Ontario’s doctors, who have been without a physician services agreement for three years, have voted in favour of a deal that will send contract disputes with the government to binding arbitration.

The Ontario Medical Association, which has about 44,000 members, says the vote was 65 per cent in favour of the deal that determines how the doctors’ next contract, and all subsequent contracts, will be settled.

First there will be an effort at negotiation, and if a deal isn’t reached, they’ll go to mediation and then binding arbitration.

“After three years of unprecedented fee cuts and unilateral government action this agreement now provides for a fair, independent process and prevents the government from taking unilateral actions,” OMA president Shawn Whatley said Saturday.

Binding arbitration has been a sticking point in the long dispute between doctors and the province.