2024-08-31 04:00:00
This article is part of the special section on Trade Unionism
Members of the Fédération du Québec’s health federation (FIQ) are experiencing an inability to renew their collective agreement for more than 500 days. The union brings together approximately 80,000 nurses, student nurses, respiratory therapists and clinical perfusionists.
During the last negotiations, the FIQ bargaining committee reached an agreement in principle, but it was subsequently rejected by the majority of union members. FIQ president Julie Bouchard stressed: “So this proves that the agreement simply does not meet the expectations of our members. “We noticed this, but the government did not. Many proposals to resolve the impasse were subsequently made, but none were successful. I find it difficult to understand why this government persists in turning a deaf ear and rejecting the helping hands that are offered to it. »
for better care
The working conditions of these health professionals are at the heart of the collective agreement renewal. FIQ announced its game, choosing “Our working conditions are your health care conditions” as its negotiating slogan. For Julie Bouchard, this is a no-brainer. “Satisfactory working conditions for our health professionals ensure they can provide better care to their patients,” she insisted. For example, a better balanced professional/patient ratio would benefit patients and professionals alike. »
She believes, not to mention, that such improvements benefit the entire health care community. “This is critical to attracting and retaining employees,” Julie Bouchard continued. If we want caregivers who have left the private sector to return to the public network, we must provide them with attractive working conditions. Otherwise, we won’t succeed. »
Progress has been made on some fronts, including mandatory overtime, with Health Minister Christian Dubé promising to make the exception rather than the norm. But other aspects remain controversial. This is particularly true of flexibility and mobility, which the government wants to see expanded for health professionals.
“It’s not that we’re against liquidity, there’s already some liquidity in the network,” said Julie Bouchard. What we reject is liquidity without clear regulation. We need rules of the game, and these must take into account the specificities and skills of health professionals. Nurse practitioners who work primarily in the operating room cannot be assigned to the emergency room overnight. It’s not the same environment, the same protocols, the same care. »
The unionist believes that if mobility offers greater flexibility, on the other hand it hardly fosters a sense of belonging. “When you work in a department you’re familiar with and work with the same colleagues, you become part of a true medical team. The patient wins,” she argued.
Light at the end of the tunnel?
Why should the government stand its ground in the face of dissatisfaction among health professionals? Julie Bouchard boldly explains: “I believe there is a perception, both in government and in society at large, that the role of a caregiver includes taking vital signs, administering medications, and injecting. But it is much more complex. We forget too easily that nurses are often the link between patients and doctors, and that doctors are not at the patient’s bedside like nurses are. »
Julie Bouchard is optimistic that there is hope for a deal. “What gives me confidence in reaching an agreement is that health professionals like governments have a common goal that is ultimately shared. This is to improve the quality and safety of care. We must now agree on the means to achieve this goal. »
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