Members from a local healthcare union gathered outside of two Hamilton hospitals yesterday, calling on their employer to negotiate fairly.

OPSEU Local 273 says it has not reached a mutually agreeable settlement with Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS) and calls the hold-up “regrettable.”

Clad in raingear and holding signs, the demonstrators protested for several hours.

“We advocate for a settlement that not only acknowledges but also prioritizes the critical need for recruitment and retention within our workforce,” Lori Reimer, union president, told CHCH News’ earlier this month.

“It’s essential that any agreement reflects parity with similar settlements in the region, ensuring that professionals at HHS are afforded the same opportunities as their counterparts.”

Local 273 is made up of over 1,100 members who work across the HHS network. They range from technologist to technicians who work in cardiovascular units, respiratory therapies and general rehabilitation and make up a large part of the city’s health care workforce.

Currently, Reimer says they’re paid, on average, $5 less than other local counterparts, and this is having a huge impact on retention, recruitment, and staff morale. “We are behind them in benefits and premiums as well,” she added.

As essential workers, they cannot strike. Instead, conciliation, a process involving a neutral third-party negotiator, has been initiated.

If a deal still cannot be struck in the coming weeks, the process could escalate and go into arbitration — a lengthy process that could take months and involve a legal hearing.

HHS said it was committed to reaching a mutual agreement. “We deeply value the hard work and dedication of all healthcare workers, and have made workforce recruitment and retention a top priority across our hospital.”

Meanwhile, Reimer says that while she can’t name specifics, she hopes to strike a deal that is at least equal to that of OPSEU’s Hospital Professionals Division.