The Order of Nurses of Quebec (OIIQ) is concerned regarding the changes to come in the health network of Mauricie and Centre-du-Québec since within two weeks, the CIUSSS wishes to modify the schedules and force compulsory work on weekends.
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“Are our members going to be called upon to move into a care sector that they don’t have the knowledge and skills that come with it? That at the ethical level, there is an issue, “challenged the president of the OIIQ, Luc Mathieu.
He fears that the new measure of the CIUSSS de la Mauricie et du Centre-du-Québec will cause other problems.
“We must recognize the expertise that nurses have […] and to think that nurses are interchangeable in one sector of care to another is not true. By doing this, it is denying the expertise and knowledge that they have developed over the years,” he added.
The Order of Nurses of Quebec intends to closely monitor the changes made by CIUSSS management in the coming months.
“If the person judges that he does not have the knowledge, his ethical obligation is to inform his employer. And his employer must take this into account. If you’ve been working in pediatrics for years and we want to send you to geriatrics, to long-term care, it’s not the same thing. We will have to see the preparations that will be given and the exposure they will have. If it’s just for one day, is it worth it?” asked Luc Mathieu.
The CIUSSS defends its new measure which will first be imposed in the Drummondville network in the 24/7 sectors. In an email sent to TVA, the CIUSSS mentions: “We would like to meet our union partner very quickly. It is quite understandable that such a measure might cause a reaction and we are listening to the concerns of our staff. Over the next few days, management will meet with the employees concerned, starting with the Drummondville nursing staff.”
For the CIUSSS, imposing work on weekends is the only solution to avoid cutting the service offer.
The staff has not said its last word. A second extraordinary general meeting is organized on Tuesday noon. The union will make known its action plan to roll back management.
In parallel, the petition, which aims to curb the deterioration of the working conditions of employees, accumulates support. Nearly 5,000 signatories have already shown their support.
