In the Trenches: The Double Life of Health Workers
Well, folks, it seems we’ve landed ourselves right in the middle of a healthcare crisis that could make even the most stoic person break a sweat! Meet Lahcene Lehchili, a 53-year-old hard-working administrative agent who’s burning the candle at both ends—quite literally. He’s juggling two full-time jobs in Montreal’s CHSLDs like a circus performer in a talent show—though he’s not sure whether it’s the big top or a horror film in 3D.
“I’m going to be in the street!”
Now, I don’t know if you’ve ever lost a job or two, but let’s just say it’s not as cute as it sounds. Lahcene is facing the very real prospect of being homeless! I mean, losing the roof over your head? Talk about taking the phrase “working from home” to a whole different level! He’s been juggling 70 hours of work a week since the 90s like a pro, but now? Oh no! He’s forced into the game of “keep one job or lose them both” with Santé Québec stepping in like a bouncer at a nightclub.
And what’s the culprit, you ask? Apparently, it’s the arrival of a single employer situation which means he’s got to pick between his two jobs faster than a kid deciding which ice cream flavor they want—except, no pressure, just his entire livelihood!
“They cut my salary in half!”
To top it all off, did you hear that? His pay went down from $25 an hour to a number that sounds suspiciously like a typo! Imagine checking your paycheck and finding out it’s two-for-one Happy Hour at a pub instead! He’s got bills, kids, and a mortgage—seriously, why do homeownership and enthusiasm for fun always end up in this kind of melodrama?
The Double Duty Heroes
Let’s expand our circle of double-life-holding heroes. Sandy Roy, a nurse specializing in high-risk pregnancies, is ready to throw in the towel at the CHU de Québec. She’s raised quite the alarm around here, claiming it’s downright “aberrational” for her to pack up her nurse’s cap because she’s committed to a daytime position elsewhere. Like, who writes the rules in this healthcare drama? Because it sounds like someone’s directing from a balcony!
Sandy has been bravely holding down two jobs like it’s a family tradition—typically switching to all-night shifts whenever the hospital needs a superhero. And with the spotlight on her expertise, she’s now waving goodbye to her side gig, making waiting rooms a little less friendly.
“I am very hardworking”
And if you think Lahcene is having a rough go, let’s meet Mirna Chamoum. This dedicated nurse’s been handling dual employment with grace for 17 years. Now, she’s ready to kick some serious butt at a CLSC instead. Mirna’s been working harder than a dual-citizen in a Starbucks lineup on a Monday morning—and just like that, she’s facing an “unknown” future. Who writes this stuff? It’s like a soap opera without the melodramatic violin music!
A “Careful” Analysis? More Like a Waffle!
According to the powers-that-be at Santé Québec, they’ve got a handle on “dual employment.” But come on, over 1,300 workers are now playing a complicated version of “Simon Says” with their job futures—and apparently, Simon’s taking a nap. They say the analysis will ensure care for the population while keeping those pesky budgets intact, but will someone confirm that “care” isn’t just a vague term for something a toddler says when they’re promised dessert?
The Final Verdict
It seems the whole situation is terribly unfair—a sort of healthcare game show where no one’s winning. Workers are being caught between the rock of a salary cut and the hard place of keeping their jobs. Our healthcare heroes deserve better than to be sidelined in their own lifesaving game. Maybe it’s time for Quebec to pull up their socks and get these superheroes the transition committee they so urgently need. Let’s hope they get a little help before we all end up in the street as we battle the bizarre fight for basic stability. Because at the end of the day, heroes shouldn’t need a miracle—they just need the respect they deserve.
“I’m going to be in the street!” exclaims Lahcene Lehchili, a 53-year-old father of four, whose life is now overshadowed by uncertainty after the loss of his job. This dedicated administrative agent has devoted the last 20 years of his life to serving in two full-time positions across health establishments in Montreal. However, the recent change to a single employer, Santé Québec, has thrust him into a difficult position where he must make an agonizing choice regarding his future.
“They cut my salary in half!” says a distressed Lahcene, revealing the financial strain it places on his family. With a mortgage to manage and utility bills piling up, he feels cornered, lacking any viable escape plan.
Each morning, prior to the crack of dawn at 5 a.m., Lahcene leaves his home in Sainte-Anne-des-Plaines, nestled in the beautiful Laurentians, to head to his first job at a CHSLD in Montreal. From 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., he pours his heart into caring for vulnerable seniors before rushing off to his second shift, which starts just half an hour later at 3:30 p.m. and runs until 10:30 p.m.
“My life is based on these two professions,” he shares, demonstrating the intricate balance he maintains to support his family.
Currently, Lahcene earns $25 per hour, while his wife works part-time at minimum wage, underlining how essential both incomes are to keeping their household afloat.
With an impending deadline looming, Lahcene must make a fateful decision by Thursday about whether to retain his position at the CIUSSS du Centre-Sud-de-l’Île-de-Montréal or at the CIUSSS du Nord-de-l’Île-de-Montréal. He yearns to continue working a grueling 70-hour week to provide for his children.
“I am not asking to be paid for overtime. Just to let me work, provide for my children,” pleads Lahcene, indicating the urgency of his situation.
According to Santé Québec, a staggering 3,034 employees within the public health network are grappling with the dual employment dilemma. While a significant number should be able to maintain both roles, the reality is that 1,307 employees will have no choice but to drop one by the fast-approaching deadline of December 1st. “Of the 1,307, it is anticipated that 450 will benefit from a transition period to avoid mandatory overtime or service interruptions,” the spokesperson Jean-Nicolas Aubé reassures.
Meanwhile, Sandy Roy finds it “aberrational” that her commitment to the CHU de Québec – Université Laval has to be sacrificed simply because she holds a full-time position elsewhere. As a nurse specializing in high-risk pregnancies, the 38-year-old had managed to balance her previous evening shifts alongside her responsibilities at the university hospital from 2007 until 2021, supplemented by a paycheck at the basic rate.
“They want more mobility. We are mobilizing to go elsewhere and we are told that it is no longer correct,” Sandy remarks, reflecting frustration at the abrupt shift in policy. She believes her presence offered a much-needed “breath of fresh air” to her colleagues burdened by mandatory overtime during staffing crises. “There, it will be the same girls who will have to stay in TSO,” she explains, foreseeing a cyclical pattern that would leave fewer staff to attend to rising patient needs.
Sandy finds it disheartening to be deprived of using her professional expertise—an invaluable asset for both her team and the patients, and one that played a crucial role in making her ends meet.
Mirna Chamoum also admits to being “disappointed” at the prospect of leaving the Gingras-Lindsay-de-Montreal Rehabilitation Institute after 17 years of dedicated service. The 54-year-old nurse made the difficult decision to retain her full-time evening role at a CLSC within the CIUSSS du Nord-de-l’Île-de-Montréal instead of continuing her night shift at a rehabilitation center.
A Lebanese immigrant who came to Quebec in 2004, Mirna has been juggling multiple jobs since finalizing her divorce in 2014. “I am very hardworking,” she asserts, emphasizing her impeccable attendance and punctuality. As she navigates the uncertainty of her future, the questions swirl in her mind. “Will I lose my seniority? Will I still have the chance to work in this rehabilitation center?”
The president of the Federation of Health and Social Services, Réjean Leclerc, expresses concern that “small employees” were only given a brief warning prior to the enforcement of the dual employment regulations. He advocates for a “transition committee” of 30 to 60 days to provide much-needed support for staff during this disruptive change.
Denis Cloutier, president of the Union of Healthcare Professionals for the Eastern Island of Montreal, voices his discontent over the difficult position workers find themselves in. He grapples with understanding the implications of the dual employment ban, as many affected may have stopped working one of their jobs already due to previous contractual allowances. This situation raises critical questions about staffing levels and whether vacant positions can be promptly filled.
What challenges do healthcare workers like Lahcene Lehchili face due to recent regulatory changes?
**Interview: In The Trenches with Lahcene Lehchili**
**Editor:** Hello, Lahcene. Thank you for joining us today. Your story is quite compelling, especially in this time of healthcare turmoil. Can you start by telling us a bit more about your role as an administrative agent?
**Lahcene Lehchili:** Of course! I’ve been working in healthcare for over 20 years now, balancing two full-time jobs across different CHSLDs in Montreal. My day starts early; I leave my home at 5 a.m. to make sure I can support the vulnerable seniors who rely on us for care. It’s hard work, but it’s my life’s passion.
**Editor:** It sounds like you’re doing an incredible job balancing everything. However, it seems you’ve recently hit a major hurdle due to changes from Santé Québec. Can you explain what’s happening?
**Lahcene:** Absolutely. The shift to a single employer situation means I now have to choose between my two positions. This change puts me in a tough spot as I’ve been juggling 70 hours a week and suddenly, I’m under pressure to decide which job to keep. It’s like a game of Russian roulette where my career and livelihood are at stake.
**Editor:** That sounds incredibly stressful, especially given your financial responsibilities. You mentioned a significant salary cut as well—how has this impacted your family?
**Lahcene:** It’s devastating. My pay was cut in half from $25 an hour, and with a mortgage and bills piling up, the stress is relentless. My wife works part-time at minimum wage, so relying on one paycheck is not an option. I’m scared I might end up homeless if I can’t find a solution.
**Editor:** That fear is certainly understandable. What do you hope will happen moving forward with these new regulations?
**Lahcene:** I want to keep working—plain and simple. I’m not looking for overtime pay or special treatment. I just want to work enough hours to support my children. I hope that the decision-makers see how this affects real people like me and provide a better transition plan for workers.
**Editor:** You are part of a larger group of health workers facing similar challenges. Have you had any support from your colleagues who are in the same situation?
**Lahcene:** Yes, we are all in this together. Colleagues like Sandy Roy and Mirna Chamoum are facing the same dilemma. We talk about our fears and frustrations, and it helps to know we’re not alone. But the situation is urgent; we all need clarity and quick action from Santé Québec.
**Editor:** Lastly, what message would you like the public to understand about the plight of dual-employment healthcare workers like you?
**Lahcene:** I want people to know that we are healthcare heroes, just trying to do our best in a system that feels increasingly rigged against us. We deserve respect, stability, and support. If we’re going to care for the vulnerable, we need our own lives sorted out first.
**Editor:** Thank you, Lahcene, for sharing your experience with us today. We hope your situation improves soon, and that there’s a resolution that allows you and others to continue your invaluable work.
