To the Editor,

As the residents of Hastings and Prince Edward Counties are now aware, your local public health nurses are on strike.

As a nurse for more than 30 years, with roots going back four generations in Prince Edward County, I care about my friends, neighbours and every resident of these counties.

During my 30 years as a nurse, I have seen the gradual changes to public health services that have left Picton’s once-fully staffed public health office a shell of what it once was.

Throughout my career, I have had great satisfaction from doing my job. As a nurse, there is nothing I feel more privileged to do than use my education, skills and passion for caring to keep my communities safe and well.

That’s why, during the first couple of years of the COVID-19 pandemic, nurses at the public health unit rushed into danger while others rushed away from it. We went to extraordinary efforts because people living in the counties deserve nothing but the best public health care and services.

All the while, our health unit management was cutting care, services, and paying nurses the most minimal wage increases they could.

It is past time for that to end. I want better care for people that meets their needs and more front-line services for residents.

I want our politicians – especially those who sit on the Board of Health – to prioritize the care and services that we all need and deserve. Having underspent salary budgets is nothing to boast about. Having a reputation as a good steward of taxpayer dollars spent on services and care is something to be proud of.

I am on strike because those in power believed they could disrespect nurses. I want to be respected by my employer as much as my clients respect me.

My colleagues at Hastings & Prince Edward County Public Health are devoted to keeping people safe. Our communities have already shown enormous support for those of us on the picket lines.

We are more than happy to return to the bargaining table should our employer be ready to negotiate. Until then, and until the Board of Health values their residents’ health and wellness as much as our nurses do, we will be on the picket lines, striking for a fair deal and better care for the community.

Jen Ronan

Picton