The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit is adamant that it was following the rules when it returned provincial funding instead of giving public health nurses pay raises.
The Ontario Nurses’ Association (ONA) representing 86 striking nurses with the local health unit is accusing health unit administration of giving the province back more than half-a-million dollars last year and is looking for answers.
“Documents posted on the health unit’s website show that $537,776 of the funding returned was due to the board of health not filling vacant nurse positions, filling some positions with lower-cost workers and intentionally underspending on salary and benefits last year,” said ONA President Vicki McKenna.
Theresa Marentette, chief executive officer of the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit, said the health unit is not allowed to keep any budget surplus.
"Gapping in budget and salary lines occurs due to absences such as maternity leaves and gapping from vacancies and retirements and people leaving the organization," said Marentette.
“While the health unit CEO says an equitable wage increase for the dedicated nurses who provide the vast array of programs and services to Windsor and County of Essex residents is ‘unaffordable,’ the health unit underspent 3.42 per cent of its salary and benefits expenses,” McKenna said.
Marentette said the nurses knew all along the surplus money was there.
"Prior to the end of last year, the gap dollars that they brought to your attention could have been used for bonuses, which was brought to their attention," she added.
The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit continues to claim that every dollar spent on salaries would result in a loss of programs and services.
Marentette said surplus money can't be used to fund future wage hikes.
"The $500,000 in the salary and budget is already attributed to current staff. When staff leaves on a maternity leave and we're back-filling positions, it doesn't occur automatically," Marentette said.
McKenna points out that there is an increasing demand for programs and services in Windsor-Essex. Programs and services delivered by the nurses, such as immunization clinics, were cancelled prior to the start of the strike and continue to be cancelled as the strike enters its second week.
McKenna is urging the health unit to call the nurses back to the bargaining table to reach a new deal.
“Clearly, the health unit receives funding that would allow for an equitable deal for our members,” said McKenna. “Our members want to be there to deliver the programs and services the people of this community need and rely on.
Marentette added there have been no talks about returning to the bargaining table and there are no plans to cancel any more programs and services.
The health unit said their final offer of a salary increase of three per cent over three years, plus increased benefits and no concessions, is reasonable and is in alignment with other public health nurses in the province.
The strike began March 8.
The nurses have been without a contract since April of 2018.