Peterborough Public Health braces for possible work stoppage

Peterborough Public Health is warning residents of a potential strike that could affect their operations starting on Wednesday.

The Board Of Health and Ontario Nurses Association agreed to attend a mediation meeting Monday to attempt to reach a settlement and avoid labour disruption. If one cannot be reached, the strike will go into effect, health unit officials stated in a press release.

Contingency plans are in place, designed to ensure public services continue, even with a strike, the release states. In the event of a strike, the health unit will remain open during its regular hours. However, some services will be affected or unavailable.

The full list of these impacts is at www.peterborough publichealth.ca

Four days of negotiations, and one day of conciliation have already occurred between the Board Of Health and ONA. The 31 local nurses lack a contract, as the last one expired last year.

In the event of a strike, PPH is reminding individuals that continue to use health services that there may be picket lines outside its King Street offices. It is important

for those individuals to be prepared for larger crowds and to be patient and courteous, to picketers, PPH states. It’s best to arrive early and allow for extra time since delays are likely.

PPH states that inappropriate behaviour by either side is not acceptable. Security services will be on hand to assist if necessary.

ONA president and nurse Vicki

McKenna told The Examiner last week that nurses were concerned about “serious cuts in nursing hours” due to influenza season in October. On Nov. 14, at an information picket, bargaining unit president Diane Lockman informed The Examiner that the nurses simply want a contract, so they can continue to work in their specialized field.