Nurses across the country – including metro and the rest of NL – rallied today in protest of working conditions amid what they categorize as a national crisis.
The Registered Nurses Union says there are currently almost 500 vacancies for RNU’s in this province, some 200 of which have opened up in the past two years. President Yvette Coffey says about 900 nurses have told the union that they plan to retire or semi-retire over the next two years, primarily because of working conditions.
Registered nurses at the long-term care home in Pleasantville got two or three days of holidays from May to October for the second year in a row, says Coffey. Labrador-Grenfell has a 60 percent vacancy rate according to the union, and the province overall has a 29 percent vacancy rate.
Working conditions are driving RNs away from the profession.
And patients are suffering. Inadequate staffing and shortages are compromised care.
It’s time for change! @CFNU #nlpoli #SupportNurses #Elxn44 pic.twitter.com/RWVil6CEOi
— RNUNL (@RNU_NL) September 17, 2021
CUPE, which represents several hundred licensed practical nurses, stands with the RNU in demanding immediate action by the federal and provincial governments in addressing the shortage.
Earlier Story
Registered nurses and nurse practitioners are holding a series of rallies across the province today, demanding immediate action on what they’re calling the “nursing crisis.”
The rallies are being held as part of a national Day of Action.
The issues that they want to see addressed are safe working conditions, fair contracts, and staff shortages.
The union says nurses across the country are “overworked, exhausted and fed up.”
The rallies are being held at various locations across the province, including at the RNU Provincial Office in St. John’s, the Majestic Lawn in Corner Brook, the boardwalk in Carbonear, and the town hall in Happy Valley-Goose Bay,
The rallies are as follows:
Branches in St. John’s Region
When: September 17, 1200 – 1300
Where: RNU Provincial Office, 229 Major’s Path
Branch 8 – Gander
When: September 17, 1130 – 1330
Where: TBD
Branch 11 – Corner Brook
When: September 17, 1200 – 1400
Where: Majestic Lawn on West Street
Branch 13 – St. Anthony
When: September 17, 1130 – 1330
Where: St. Anthony Town Hall
Branch 15 – Happy Valley-Goose Bay
When: September 17, 1200 – 1300
Where: Happy Valley-Goose Bay Town Hall
Branch 16 – Placentia
When: September 17, 1200 – 1400
Where: Former Power’s Ultramar parking lot, located at the intersection of Prince William Drive and Patterson Drive
Branch 17 – Twillingate
When: September 17, 1200 – 1330
Where: Twillingate Town Hall
Branch 18 – Flower’s Cove
When: September 17, 1100 – 1300
Where: Fire Hall
Branch 20 – St. Lawrence
When: September 17, 1230 – 1330
Where: Intersection of Route 220 and Memorial Drive (by soccer field)
Branch 21 – Burin Peninsula
When: September 17, TBD
Where: TBD
Branch 23 – Stephenville
When: September 17, 1630 – 1730
Where: Kinsman Town Square on Main Street
Branch 25 – Brookfield/New-Wes-Valley
When: September 17, 1430 – 1530
Where: N&B Marine, Main Street, Brookfield
Branch 28 & 29 – Carbonear
When: September 17, 1200 – 1400
Where: Boardwalk in Carbonear
Branch 38 – Springdale
When: September 17, 1300 – 1400
Where: TBD
Branch 42 – Fogo Island
When: September 17, 1230 – 1330
Where: TBD