Employees with the Rapids Family Health Team [FHT] are holding demonstrations this week as they seek a fair contract agreement.
The 48 staff members, represented by the Ontario Nurses' Association (ONA), have been without a contract since the end of 2022.
Two information pickets were held outside of the Pontiac Drive facility in Sarnia on Tuesday.
ONA Regional Vice President Alan Warrington is hopeful they'll be effective.
He said the employees have worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic and expect the dedication, skills, and value they bring to the community to be recognized and rewarded.
"It's important work, and we want the community to know that that work needs to be valued," said Warrington. "This employer needs to come up with a fairly negotiated wage proposal for work-life balance as well. We're just trying to raise awareness around the community, the impact of this important work."
Warrington said the services they provide range from primary care to special respiratory clinics that keep people out of the emergency department.
He called it "premature" to talk about a withdrawal of services if a deal cannot be reached.
"There's no doubt the impact to the community would be significant," he said. "These members know that their fellow members and healthcare workers in the hospital sector would be greatly impacted, as would their patients. There's no desire to withdraw services. We just want a fairly negotiated agreement."
Warrington said he can't disclose the details of what the union is seeking as talks are ongoing.
ONA Local 19 Coordinator Emily Webb encourages people to reach out to the Rapids board and encourage them to come to the table.
"And also put pressure on MPP Bob Bailey to stand up for healthcare and stop the cuts and privatization," said Webb. "Healthcare is important and everybody values publicly funded healthcare. Our members deserve respect and they deserve better wages."
Rapids FHT Bargaining Unit President Candy Arsenault echoed those comments.
"Especially when management has given themselves raises for the past three years, and we haven't had any," she said.
Two more picket sessions are planned for Thursday outside of the Bluewater Medical Clinic on London Road, from 12 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
The employees are back to the table on July 5 for conciliation, and it's hoped a deal can be reached at that time.
-With files from Natalia Vega
