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Nurses' contract dispute with Region in mediation By JASON MISNER The Champion The Ontario Nurses' Association (ONA) says Halton Region's con- tract offer te its 122 public health nurses doesn't show the kind of respect tbey deserve. 'Me public health nurses - whose duties include tracking communicable diseases and pro- vidmng immunizations - have been working wîthout a contract since April. After an unsuccesaful. attempt at reaching a new contract over two days of taiks in September, the Region and the ONA Local 001 met with a provincial mediator Thursday. Another meeting is scheduled for December 10 in Burlington. The key sticking point is "primarily with inequitable psy," ONA president Barb Wahl said in an interview. Ms Wahl said the Region's offer to the nurses amounts to as much as $7 per hour leas than what other nurses in sinsilar positions are earn- ing in the GTA. The salary for regional public health nurses ranges between $22.58 and $31.24 per hour. Even with the offer, Ms Wahl said the nurses would still be the lowest paid. Health care professionals say "there is a need for a stronig public health, systemn and the backbone of that public health systemn is the public health nurse," Ms Wahl said, illustrating how the SARS out- break in Toronto was dealt with. "We want the public to speak with their regional governuent representative to make sure these nurses are adequately pald and to make sure health is properly fund- ed from tse provincial afsd federal govenent. "It isn't just about money,-but about respect and recognition for Use work they do. One of the big issues is equity." In an ONA press release, Ms Wahl sald: "Halton is among Use wealthiest municipalities in Use GTA and in Ontarso. The Region should make it a priority to psy its public healUs nurses as weli as other GTA communmities do." Tom Clark, Halton's director of humant resources, said hie cossldn't discuss contract negotiations, but did say Wednesday's meeting was '"veiy good and productive." ".We're optîmistic we can reach a collective agreement," hie said, not- ing mediation "is not an ussusual procesa."1 Halton Chair Joyce Savoline sald she couldn't comment on Use con- tract situation. "It's left between staff and Use union to negotiase," she sald. "We receive updates, but we don't negotiate." Regional counicil will ultimately have to approve Use contract settle- ments, but it's nos clear when Usat will happen, she said. Public health responsibilisies were downloaded from the Province to Use municipalities when Use Tory govemment was in power Use last few years. Jason Misner can be reached at jmisner@miltoncanadianchampi- on.com. ,Murder hearing put over to Jan,. The sentencing hearing of Douglas William Stokes of Mississauga in connection wiUs Use murder of Murray Parrot of Milton has been put over until January 9. The decision was made November 17 in Supersor Court of Justice i Milton. A publication ban prevents printing any furUser informsation.