ONA Collective Agreement Sick Time: What You Need to Know

The Ontario Nurses Association (ONA) represents over 68,000 registered nurses and health-care professionals in Ontario. The ONA negotiates collective agreements with hospitals, long-term care homes, and other health-care employers on behalf of its members. One important aspect of these collective agreements is sick time, which can be a source of confusion for both employers and employees. In this article, we will provide an overview of ONA collective agreement sick time and what you need to know.

Sick Time Entitlement

The ONA collective agreement provides sick time entitlement for all ONA members. The amount of sick time entitlement varies depending on the specific collective agreement. For example, some agreements provide for a set number of sick days per year, while others provide for a set number of hours per pay period. Additionally, some agreements provide for sick leave banks, which allow employees to accumulate unused sick time from year to year.

Sick Leave Provision

The ONA collective agreement also provides for sick leave provision, which allows ONA members to take time off work for illness or injury. Sick leave provisions typically require employees to provide their employer with a medical certificate or other proof of illness or injury. Sick leave provisions may also include requirements for employees to notify their employer of their absence and to keep their employer updated on their progress.

Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Benefits

In addition to sick time entitlement and sick leave provision, ONA collective agreements may also provide for short-term and long-term disability benefits. Short-term disability benefits typically provide income replacement for a period of several weeks to several months, while long-term disability benefits may provide income replacement for a longer period, up to and including retirement age.

Collective Agreement Enforcement

Collective agreements are legally binding contracts between employers and employees. They are enforceable under the Ontario Labour Relations Act. If an employer violates a collective agreement, an employee can file a grievance, which is a formal complaint. A grievance process is provided for in each collective agreement, and the process usually involves meetings between the employer and union representatives. If the grievance is not resolved at this level, it may proceed to arbitration.

Conclusion

Sick time entitlement, sick leave provision, and disability benefits are important aspects of ONA collective agreements. It is important for employers and employees to understand these provisions and their rights and responsibilities under the collective agreement. If you are an ONA member, be sure to review your collective agreement and speak with your union representative if you have any questions or concerns about sick time entitlement or other provisions.