The Union of Nurses of Quebec submits its new contractual demands – Montreal
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The largest union in Quebec representing 76,000 nurses and respiratory therapists, the Fédération interprofessionnelle de la santé du Québec (FIQ) has submitted its list of demands to the Treasury Board of Quebec in anticipation of the next contract negotiations for a new collective agreement.
“We think we are quite reasonable. These demands come from our members,” Kristina Hoare, vice-president of the local union representing 3,711 West Island staff, told Global News.
The local union also submitted the same list to its employer, the Integrated University Health and Social Services Center (CIUSSS) of the West Island of Montreal on Monday morning.
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The wish list includes 60 demands that the union hopes will be met by the Quebec government – among them a wage increase that reflects rising inflation (six per cent this year) plus an additional four per cent per year for next three years (2023, 2024 and 2025).
More financial compensation for work done on weekends, holidays and overtime.
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The union also wants to consider the four-day work week and the elimination of mandatory overtime and the hiring of private agencies to fill certain positions.
« What we’re hoping with our applications is that they bring more people from the private sector into the public sector, which would bring more employees out, » Hoare said.
These requests follow an independent report highlighting the lack of nurses at the Lakeshore General Hospital.
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The shortage of caregivers is a chronic problem facing hospitals and medical clinics throughout Quebec.
Jimmy Sincere, a respiratory therapist at St. Mary’s Hospital, says the problem puts patient care at risk.
“You cannot monitor all patients at once. So you will look at the most critical ones and maybe forget another patient,” he told Global News.
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Union leaders say offering higher wages is a way to attract new talent to the industry.
« It’s our request to start higher for people who want to enter the profession, » Elizabeth Rich, a registered nurse, told Global News.
A spokesperson for Treasury Board and the West Island Regional Health Authority told Global News they are reviewing the submitted applications.
The government has 60 days to submit its counter-offers. The current contract expires on March 31, 2023.
© 2022 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
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