Queensway Carleton Hospital – Member Update

On July 7th, the Hospital implemented Article 10.08(e) of the ONA Central Collective Agreement. This is a required step that must occur before any permanent or long-term layoff notices can be issued.

At this time, no layoff notices have been issued. The earliest layoff notices could be provided to the union is 30 calendar days from July 7, 2026 (i.e., approximately August 6, 2026). Once this occurs, the Hospital is required to go through a process to offer early retirement incentives to eligible members before issuing individual notices of layoff.

Although we do not have any further information at this time, we do NOT anticipate that the Hospital will issue individual layoff notices before September. We will continue to provide updates when more information becomes available.

Article 10.08 e)

Process to Avoid Permanent or Long-Term Layoffs

1. Where in the Hospital’s determination there will be one or more layoffs of a permanent or long-term nature, the Hospital shall provide the Union and all nurses on the affected unit(s)with no less than thirty (30) calendar days written advance notice. The advance notice will describe the unit(s), reasons causing the layoffs, number of nurses that would be laid off and a list of vacant positions and any positions not yet posted to be used as transfer opportunities that may be filled in order to avoid the layoffs.
2. In accordance with seniority, the Hospital will offer those nurses on the unit(s) and within the classification(s) where the proposed layoff(s) would otherwise occur the opportunity to elect to be transferred to a transfer opportunity provided that the nurse is qualified to perform the available work. A nurse’s election must be provided to the Hospital in writing within the advance notice period in Article 10.08 (e) (i). The number of nurses so transferred shall not exceed the number of nurses who would otherwise be subject to layoff.
3. If the number of nurses who voluntarily elect to transfer to a transfer opportunity within the advance notice period in Article 10.08 (e) (i) is less than the number of nurses who would otherwise be subject to layoff, transfers will occur in reverse order of seniority provided that the nurse is qualified to perform the available work and the transfer does not result in a reduction of the nurse’s wage rate or hours of work, is located at the nurse’s original work site or at a nearby site in terms of relative accessibility for the nurse and is on the same or substantially similar shift or shift rotation.

Where more than one nurse is to be transferred in order to avoid a layoff, nurses shall be entitled to select from available transfer opportunities in order of seniority. The number of nurses so transferred shall not exceed the number of nurses who would otherwise be subject to layoff.

4. The Hospital bears the onus of demonstrating that the forgoing conditions have been met in the event of a dispute. The Hospital shall also reasonably accommodate any reassigned employee who may experience personal hardship arising from being reassigned in accordance with this provision.
5. A transfer of a nurse to a transfer opportunity under this article is not a layoff and also need not be posted.

Units identified as being affected are:

• A3 – 7 FT
• A4 – 3 FT, 4 PT
• ACE – 4 FT, 2 PT
• B2 – 3 FT, 2 PT
• C4 – 5 FT, 3 PT
• D3 – 7 FT, 2 PT
• D4 – 11 FT, 1 PT
• DSU – 1 PT
• MBU – 5 FT, 4 PT
• MH – 6 FT, 5 PT
• Obstetrics Clinic – 1 PT
• Park Place – 4 FT, 2 PT
• POAC – 2 FT, 3 PT

There are currently 6 transfer opportunities that have been shared by the hospital (4FT and 2PT).

If you are currently working in a temporary position on another unit and your home unit has received notice but you personally have NOT received notice, please contact your ONA representative at the email below. No primary casual nurses will receive the notice.

At this time only the RN classification is affected. NOT CF, CNE or NPs.

The letters were sent to ALL FT and PT RNs on affected units. This extends the offer for more senior nurses to transfer into the available positions if they are interested in them.

FT nurses can only transfer into FT opportunities and PT nurses can only transfer into PT opportunities.

Transfer opportunities will be given to the most senior qualified nurse that lists it on their transfer sheet. Qualified means meets the job description requirements as listed on the letter; you will be provided training if you get the position (example 6 weeks of training for ED position if you have never worked in ED previously. You are NOT expected to “hit the ground running”).

Sherri, Steve and I will be meeting weekly to address and answer member questions and we will also be meeting weekly with the hospital to discuss this process.

We understand this is an unsettling time for many members. Your ONA representatives are actively monitoring the process and advocating to ensure the Collective Agreement is followed. We will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.

Please send any questions or concerns to L84LV750@ona.org (UNION CONTACT) and/or workforce@qch.on.ca (Hospital Contact).