Nurses in most long-term care homes in Ontario are about to receive their biggest wage increase in over 30 years, according to their union.
A recent arbitration decision grants members of the Ontario Nurses’ Association (ONA) a pay raise of approximately 11.5 percent over two years.
The decision includes a three-percent raise for each of the two years and adjusts the salary grid by about 5.5 percent, effective July 1.
Starting wages for registered nurses in long-term care homes will increase from $32.22 per hour to $33.99, with the top rate for nurses with eight years of experience rising from $48.78 to $51.46. With the additional three-percent increases over two years, the top rate will eventually reach $54.60 per hour.
ONA also represents nurse practitioners, registered practical nurses, personal support workers, health-care aides, and guest attendants in some of these homes.
ONA President Erin Ariss says this decision is an important step toward acknowledging the skilled work of nurses and health professionals in the sector.
“While this decision does not completely close the wage gap between public- and private-sector nurses, it significantly narrows it and moves us closer to equal pay,” she said in a statement.
Story by Ted Smith with files from the Canadian Press