Support at rainy rally 'overwhelming' for nurses association

Wearing rain ponchos and toques and waving rally flags, public health nurses and their supporters chanted "solidarity" in the rain Friday at a rally outside the health unit in Windsor.

"We're going into our sixth week but we are strong because of all of you," said public health nurses bargaining unit president Barb Deter to the crowd. "You have given us the strength to keep fighting this battle."

Deter was thrilled with the rally turnout, which included union members from outside of Windsor.

"I'm overwhelmed by the support," said Deter, who represents the nurses at the bargaining table for the Ontario Nurses Association. "I have no words." 

Deter described the last offer from the health unit as "not a good offer." It was presented as a "final offer" which forces the union to vote. 

However, chair of the Board of Health Gary McNamara said it was a fair offer, and that he represents the citizens in Windsor-Essex.

"To ask the citizens of Windsor and Essex County just dig a little deeper and raise the property taxes in order to give them what they want in terms of salary," he said, "You've got to look at the total package."

McNamara said the average wage of the nurses is in the mid-$40 an hour range, "plus $26 an hour" worth of benefits. He compared that to "the single mom out there" making minimum wage with no benefits. 

Not only that, he wants people to know it doesn't look like the province will give the health unit any additional funding, and there is already more than $400,000 allocated to programs that are at risk.

"[The government] wants efficiencies," he said. "I think again the offer's been very fair."

However, Deter said the offer hasn't really changed since the process began last year. 

"It was more of a slap in the face than anything," she said.

According to Deter, if there was a measles outbreak in Windsor-Essex right now, it would have to be handled by just eight nurses — the management team at WECHU who are still on the job. That worried her.

"We care about the community. We want them to stay safe and healthy and well," said Deter. "That's not happening right now."