2024-01-16 01:02:59
The Quebec Interprofessional Health Federation (FIQ) and the government are continuing their negotiations, but the parties do not agree, among other things, on the questions of flexibility and recognition of seniority of private sector nurses who have worked in the public network and wanting to return there. No new strike sequence is planned, says the union.
The “media truce” proposed by the conciliator having been lifted, the president of the FIQ, Julie Bouchard, took stock of the state of the negotiations during interviews with the media, including Le Devoir. According to her, certain “very important” subjects remain in dispute, including the flexibility requested by the government.
The FIQ maintains that Quebec wants to impose the compulsory movement of healthcare professionals from a center of activity — hospital, CHSLD, etc. – to the other. The government claims that these trips would be carried out on a voluntary basis. “What is extremely disturbing is that currently, in each collective agreement, the employer has this possibility, always on a voluntary basis,” she said.
Julie Bouchard specifies that the “vast majority” of local collective agreements include an article which provides for travel bans, except in cases of force majeure or exceptional situations, but which indicates this: “This article is not intended to purpose of preventing an employee from volunteering for travel. »
“It’s not even enforced, so why put so much emphasis on something that [le gouvernement] wants to make it compulsory? » she asks. “For us, it’s impossible to go down this path. It takes training to change centers of activity. »
“Closure” on ratios
Other points in dispute, according to the FIQ: the recognition of the seniority of nurses working in the private sector and wanting to return to the public network, as well as the ratio of patients per professional.
“Ratios are a battle that we have been waging for more than ten years,” says Julie Bouchard. They will create attraction in the network, but also ensure that quality and safe care is provided to the population. » According to her, Quebec expresses a “closure” in this regard.
The president of the FIQ affirms that the conciliator is “very valuable help” in these negotiations. “We are in no hurry to reach this agreement in principle,” she said. Yes, the salary side is important. But the working conditions side is just as important. »
Julie Bouchard assures that no other strike sequence is currently in the cards for her union, nor even an unlimited general strike. “We’re not there yet. We don’t see the point in moving forward with this. »
The FIQ represents 80,000 nurses, practical nurses, respiratory therapists and clinical perfusionists in the Quebec health network.
The office of the President of the Treasury Board, Sonia LeBel, did not wish to make any comment.
To watch on video
1705369551
#FIQ #Quebec #agree #flexibility #seniority #nurses #ratios
