ST. CATHARINES, Jan. 12, 2010 – Hospital staff and residents from across the Niagara region took to the streets today to demand immediate action by the Ontario Hospitals Association to ease pressure on local hospitals.

The rally called on the OHA to return to the bargaining table with more than 17,000 hospital workers represented by the Service Employees International Union Local 1 Canada who have been without a contract since the fall.

The protesters delivered a wheelbarrow laden with 1000 post cards to the CEO of the Niagara Health System calling for the adoption of proposals to help recruit and retain nurses and improve patient safety.

The measures would benefit the Niagara region, but are being blocked at the provincial hospitals association by managers from major Toronto hospitals.

“In these tough economic times, we have been trying to work with hospital chiefs to find innovative ways to improve quality of care and patient safety without putting pressure on budgets,” said Sharleen Stewart, president of SEIU Local 1.

“But the Ontario Hospitals Association has been stalling and wasting precious time and money by trying to force us into an outdated practice of third-party arbitration that is lengthy, expensive, and unnecessary,” said Ms. Stewart.

Hospital staff plan to take their protest to Toronto next week, and rallies are also scheduled for Sarnia and Thunder Bay.

Carol McDowell, a Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) who works for the Niagara Health System, said: "RPNs initially met with the hospitals association about their professional practice and were able to agree a comprehensive package of provisions which help address critical issues of quality of care and patient safety.”

“It was a win-win-win for patients, hospitals, and staff. But without explanation, the OHA has withdrawn its earlier enthusiastic support. We demand they return to the table and take advantage of this opportunity to put our health system on more stable footing,” added Ms. McDowell.