Nurses, healthcare workers, and allies gathered at hospitals across the province on Feb. 23 to rally for better wages, staffing, and care for nurses. Kingston General Hospital (KGH) was one of these hospitals.

Annette Sacoon, bargaining unit president and local coordinator of Local 99 and Region 2 of the Ontario Nurses Association (ONA), was a member of the local group that was rallying.

When Ford’s government passed Bill-124 in 2019, the legislation capped wage increases for public sector employees at one percent each year, for three years. As a result, staffing shortages in hospitals across the province have increased. The union is currently in collective bargaining with the hospital, with a 130-page collective agreement document that highlights what the union is bargaining for.

CFRC has reached out to Annette Sacoon ask if the rally has had any impacts on nurses since Feb 23.

For the full CFRC interview with Annette, listen here: