2024-08-30 13:10:41
(Montreal) Quebec’s Federation of Interprofessional Health (FIQ) described the government’s new proposals on Thursday as a “major setback.” The company invited its members to refuse to work overtime from September 19, which could lead to service disruptions, according to the local union.
Updated at 12:20pm yesterday
what you need to know
FIQ insists the new proposals would allow employers to relocate a nurse up to 200 kilometers from their home port. In previously rejected agreements, the maximum distance was set at 25 or 35 kilometers. The union has invited its members to refuse overtime from September 19, raising concerns about service disruptions in some areas. Quebec countered that “it is wrong to suggest that the government wants to increase travel.”
“We need more liquidity and flexibility,” FIQ president Julie Bouchard said.
According to the union, the new proposal would allow health facilities to move health care professionals from one unit to another, and from one facility to another, just like the previous proposal. But according to Ms. Bouchard, it goes even further.
“Nurses from the Saint-Eustache emergency room may be moved to Mont-Laurier, 200 kilometers away,” she said. The rejected agreement in principle provided for a maximum distance of 25 or 35 kilometers.
Julie Bouchard says another “setback”: Quebec is proposing to unions that the stable day, evening and night positions be converted into rotating positions (day, evening and night; day and evening; day and night ), as these positions are vacant for the following reasons.
She said these rotational positions would hurt employee attraction and retention. “We must not forget that we have to look for health care professionals within the institution,” she said.
Photo PATRICK SANFAÇON, Los Angeles Press Archives
Julie Bouchard, president of the Quebec Federation of Interprofessional Health
“The impact is quite large”
To increase pressure on the government, FIQ asked its members to stop working overtime starting September 19.
Local union president Jean-Sébastien Blais said the slogan, if followed, would have “considerable consequences” for Abitibi-Themiskaminge. He explained that the activity center is operating “100%” thanks to overtime and an independent workforce.
Due to reduced availability, service failures may occur in our small departments or even CHSLDs that often work overtime.
Jean-Sébastien Blais, President of the local trade union in Abitibi-Témiscamingue
Jean-Sébastien Blais recalled that his members voted in principle with 74% in favor of the previous agreement. He was “fairly certain” the new proposal would be rejected by union members. “By eliminating the concept of mileage, we can send a nursing professional from Val-d’Or to Témiscamingue-Kipawa, 300 kilometers away,” he said.
Karine Dauteuil, president of the Federation of Healthcare Professionals in Outtawe (FIQ-SPSO), believes ending overtime could lead to a “collapse of services” in her region, with severe staff shortages. “This is collateral damage from the government’s lack of listening, lack of respect,” she said. He is the one in charge. »
According to local union president Denis Cloutier, up to 20% of working hours at the CIUSSS de l’Est-de-l’Île-de-Montréal are “overtime.”
Julie Bouchard emphasized that the goal was “not to last until the end of overtime.”
“We have more than two weeks to negotiate. We are capable of reaching an agreement in principle, a future collective agreement that is a win-win for both parties.
Sonia Lebel ‘stunned’
U.S. Treasury Department Chair Sonia LeBel said she was “shocked to hear Ms. Bouchard speak in public when we are asked to negotiate at the table.”
Photo EDOUARD PLANTE-FRÉCHETTE, Los Angeles Press Archives
Finance Minister Sonia LeBel
“It is wrong to suggest that the government wants to increase travel,” she said in a written statement. “It is irresponsible to scare people when our goal is to provide better care through better organization of hospitals.” »
Sonia Lebel reiterated that travel will be done on a “voluntary basis” and “always with appropriate training.” “We must continue to negotiate to reach an agreement. Our first priority is the patient,” she concluded.
When asked to react, Health Minister Christian Dubé’s office said it was “for the sake of patients” and in “solution mode, not opposition mode”. “Pressure tactics are the prerogative of trade unions,” they said. However, essential services must always be respected. »
The government said on Thursday its new proposal to FIQ offered “a different pathway” to achieve its “flexibility objectives” [afin] Take better care of Quebecers” 1.
Clarification: An editing error in an earlier version of this article caused paragraphs to disappear and may have left the impression that Jean-Sébastien Blais’s review was posted by Julie Bouchard impression. Our apologies.
1. Read the article “Quebec submits new bid to FIQ”
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