Burned out and fed up with working conditions they say are unfair, Ontario's coroners are pushing to be allowed to unionize — despite their first raise in more than a decade and a law preventing them from doing so.
The Ontario Coroners Association says coroners are frustrated with a new computer program that has increased workloads and lost data, and are concerned about growing reliance on nurses for investigations and a system that places all coroners on call.
The province's chief coroner has accepted responsibility for the years-long wait for better pay and admitted the troubles with the new computer system, but pledged better days ahead with "significant reforms" underway. Huyer, who became chief coroner in 2013, says he initially chose to hold any changes until after the end of an inquiry into serial killer Elizabeth Wettlaufer, who killed eight long-term care residents in southwestern Ontario. That probe reviewed the coroner's work.
If the coroners cannot achieve full unionization, they hope to come up with something akin to the Ontario Medical Association, which represents doctors and can negotiate with the government on their behalf.Dr. Dirk Huyer, Ontario's Chief Coroner, said he understands why coroners are trying to unionize, noting they were told for years that their pay was going to increase and working conditions would improve.As of Oct.
"Most coroners have other jobs — their practices, their clinics — and this will require them to give up that work in order to be on call," she says."We have a significant number of cases that are being done without physicians attending to scenes," he says. "We don't like that."
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Quebecers have growing itch to snitch on residents using Ontario address at tax time | CBC NewsRevenu Québec has initiated a growing number of audits for residents who use an out-of-province address to benefit from lower tax rates, partly due to a rising number of complaints.
Read more »
This Ontario standup comic has made America's Got Talent without saying a word | CBC NewsStandup comic Ahren Belisle, who grew up in northern Ontario, uses a text-to-speech app on his phone when he performs. He debuts on America's Got Talent on Tuesday night.
Read more »
Bonnie Crombie officially enters race for Ontario Liberal leadership | CBC NewsMississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie officially registered as a candidate in the Ontario Liberal leadership race on Tuesday.
Read more »
Nordstrom stores in Canada to close for good this week | CBC NewsTuesday will be the final day for all 13 Nordstrom and Nordstrom Rack stores across Canada, the retailer has announced.
Read more »
New exoplanet discovery brings Star Wars closer to reality | CBC NewsThe discovery of another exoplanet in a binary star system more than 1,000 light years away may lead to discoveries of many more planets in these cosmic neighbourhoods first popularized by Star Wars.
Read more »