TORONTO, ON, September 3, 2025 – The Ontario Nurses' Association (ONA) has launched a fierce condemnation of a recent arbitration ruling, deeming it a colossal betrayal of the rights and safety of over 60,000 dedicated hospital nurses.

Provincial President Erin Ariss, RN, expressed her outrage, stating that the decision by arbitrator Sheri Price marks "a new low" in the history of nurse bargaining in Ontario. Ariss highlighted that the ruling fails to ensure adequate staffing ratios, a crucial factor for the safety of nurses who face daily violence in their workplaces.

"This is not just about numbers; it’s about our lives. We deserve the same protection as other frontline workers, like police and firefighters," Ariss proclaimed. She emphasized the alarming message the ruling sends to a predominantly female workforce, suggesting that their safety in the face of escalating danger is a trivial concern.

The arbitration decision has relegated wages for Ontario hospital nurses even further behind, allowing only minimal increases of 3% and 2.25% in 2025 and 2026, drawing comparisons to retail clerks and office workers. Additionally, it dismisses essential job security measures, potentially paving the way for widespread layoffs in a province already suffering from a nursing shortage.

Nurses’ top priority—demanding minimum safe staffing levels to protect them from violence and to enhance patient care—was blatantly ignored. This new two-year contract, retroactive to April 1, 2025, and set to expire on March 31, 2027, has left many feeling powerless.

Ariss asserted, "This arbitration process has too often favored employer interests over the needs of nurses and working people. It's a far cry from fairness, especially when we lack the right to strike. We flatly reject this decision."

In light of this setback, the ONA boasts an unprecedented level of member organization, rallying support through collective actions in workplaces and communities. As they assess the implications of the arbitration decision, Ariss remains resolute: "We are stronger and more united than ever, and we will not be silenced."

ONA represents a robust 68,000 registered nurses and healthcare professionals, alongside 18,000 nursing student affiliates, who provide much-needed care across various facilities including hospitals, long-term care, and public health.