Shocking news: According to the Financial Accountability Office report, the Ford government is robbing nearly $9.7 billion in salary from nurses, health care professionals and some public sectors worker from the period of 2019 – 2027.
There is no doubt the Ontario health care system is facing a crisis, says Cathryn Hoy, RN, ONA President.
The FAO report represents that in Ontario, the average salaries of the public sector inclined at a rate lower than inflation for the past decades as compared to the private and public sector workers in municipal and federal positions.
It is also demonstrated by the report that the vacancy rates in the health sector have nearly doubled since 2019, when 124 Bill was first implemented by the government.
Hoy also added that
- Because of the 124 Bill, nurses, health care professionals and public sector workers have been robbed of salary by the government.
- Ontarians who find themselves in need of care are suffering, all because of the single-minded policy of this government to not show respect to those who provide care.
- Bill 124 has result in further damage to an already underpaid sector of highly educated female workers.
- This is 2022 and there is no excuse for gender targeting laws.
ONA is the union representing above 65000 register nurses and health care professional as well as 18000 nursing students’ affiliates, providing care in hospital, long term care facilities, public health, the community, clinics, and industry.
WHAT IS EXACTLY BILL 124?
In 2019, the Ford government passed the bill called 124 Bill, which limits wage increases to a max of 1% each year over a three-year period.