The union representing about 60-thousand registered nurses in the province says arbitration is set for early May after contract talks with the Ontario Hospital Association broke down.The interim president of the Ontario Nurses’ Association says the union would have preferred to reach a deal through negotiations rather than arbitration.But Bernie Robinson says what counts is a contract that provides better staffing levels, wages and benefits so that nurses can provide better patient care.Robinson says the need to recruit and retain nurses is more urgent than it’s ever been as hospitals have been hit by a severe nursing shortage.
(The Canadian Press)
