Description: An arbitrator has granted members of the Ontario Nurses’ Association lump-sum bonuses, despite a provincial government wage freeze policy.

Source: The Toronto Star

Date: 06/03/2011

Link: http://www.thestar.com/news/ontario/article/1002549–nurses-get-bonuses-despite-wage-freeze

Related links:

• Ontario Nurses’ Association
• Ontario Hospital Association
• Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-term Care
• Globe and Mail story
• Toronto Sun story
• Canadian Press story

Questions for discussion:

• Review the links above. How does this settlement fit within the government wage freeze?
• How does this settlement work out to a “net zero increase?”
• If you belonged to this union, would you prefer a lump-sum award or a wage increase? Why?
• What is the role of the provincial government in collective bargaining with the nurses’ union?
• What is the role of the Ontario Hospital Association?