Hospital workers union says now is the time for the province to remove restrictions

Now that COVID-19 cases are on the downswing in Ontario the Ontario Council of Hospital Unions say it’s time to give workers their rights back.

President Michael Hurley says Bill 195 was imposed by the province at the worst of COVID-19 so of the rights given away should be returned to workers.

“Basic workplace rights around job security, scheduling, layoff protection and the ability to take a vacation have been suspended for a further year and possibly two or three years under Bill 195,” he says.

He points out health care workers have paid the ultimate price and died.

“One of the highest casualty rates of health care workers is here in Ontario. Spain is higher. The world wide average of health care cases versus public cases is six percent while in Ontario it is 17,4,” Hurley says.

Hurley says additional events in their campaign are planned for next week.

(photo by station staff)