Hamilton nurses protest against Bill 124

Registered nurses, and supporting healthcare workers took to the sidewalk out front of McMaster Children's Hospital on Main Street West during the noon hour Wednesday to protest Bill 124.

The Bill, also known as the Protecting a Sustainable Public Sector for Future Generations Act, was passed in late fall 2019 and limits public sector wage increases to 1 per cent per year.

Unions argue the 1 per cent limit violates collective bargaining agreements and should be repealed. In March, a coalition of unions filed a constitutional challenge against the Bill.

Nurses, who have been on the front lines of the fight against COVID-19 and have been labelled as heroes for their efforts feel slighted by the wage cap and feel they should be exempt.

Several rallies and demonstrations have taken place across the province in recent days.

Barry Gray is a Hamilton-based photojournalist at The Spectator. Reach him via email: bgray@thespec.com