The Current Manitoba nurses put hospitals on "grey list" due to violence
Dec 11, 2025
Darlene Jackson, President of the Manitoba Nurses Union, and Kimberly LeBlanc, President of the Canadian Nurses Association, tackle the alarming issue of violence in Manitoba hospitals. They discuss why nurses voted to 'grey list' facilities due to rising assaults and inadequate safety measures. Jackson reveals societal shifts since COVID have intensified workplace violence, while LeBlanc emphasizes the need for policy changes, like Bill S-233, to protect healthcare workers. Together, they explore strategies for improving nurse safety and maintaining quality patient care.
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Nurse's Firsthand Account Of Workplace Violence
- A Winnipeg nurse described repeated assaults, threats, and witnessing coworkers being attacked on the job.
- She recounted weapons like axes, hammers, machetes and a sexual assault in hospital tunnels that went uncommunicated to staff.
How Graylisting Works
- Graylisting is a formal union step advising nurses not to take jobs or extra shifts at unsafe worksites.
- The employer receives a list of required actions and must provide written assurance or a memo to lift the greylist.
Prioritize Staff Safety Over Extra Shifts
- Nurses continue scheduled shifts to avoid compromising patient care while refusing extra shifts at greylisted sites.
- Darlene Jackson stresses staff safety is a prerequisite for safe patient care and justifies selective work refusals.