November 21, 2025, WINNIPEG, MB – In a decisive move to protect their safety and well-being, nurses at Thompson General Hospital (TGH) have voted overwhelmingly (97%) to grey list the facility. This action follows repeated and unresolved concerns raised by frontline nursing staff regarding workplace safety and security.
“Nurses around this province are taking a stand against violence in the workplace. The same shift, different day mentality from this government must end,” said Darlene Jackson, President of the Manitoba Nurses Union (MNU). In 2024 alone, the RCMP were called to the hospital over 550 times in response to violence in the facility. On Christmas Eve, a man entered the chapel with a firearm, pointed it at a staff member, and fired a shot through a window. “Frontline nurses are being asked to work in conditions where their safety is consistently compromised, and they’ve had enough.”
As a key healthcare provider for northern Manitoba and the surrounding region, TGH bears a heightened responsibility to ensure the safety of its nursing workforce and create an environment where patient care and staff well-being are fully supported. Despite multiple appeals and documented concerns by members, the necessary and sustained improvements have not been made.
“The Employer now has a clear opportunity to meet the reasonable conditions set by nurses,” Jackson continued. “The decision to lift the grey list rests entirely in their hands. Nurses will no longer accept empty promises or inaction that puts their safety at risk.”
This vote reflects the collective frustration and resolve of nurses who continue to face unsafe work environments. With this measure, TGH nurses are sending a strong message that meaningful, timely action is required now to protect staff safety and uphold quality care for Manitobans in the north.
MNU remains committed to advocating for the safety, dignity, and well-being of its members. We will continue to work diligently toward substantive solutions that enhance safety and working conditions in all healthcare facilities across the province.
MNU represents more than 13,000 nurses across the province, advocating for fair wages, better working conditions, and quality patient care. Since 1975, MNU has been a bold voice for nurses, providing support and pushing for a stronger healthcare system. Learn more at manitobanurses.ca.
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MEDIA CONTACT
Brandi Johnson
Senior Manager of Communications and External Relations
Phone: 204-226-9803
Email: bjohnson@manitobanurses.ca