November 8, 2007

The Federation has reason to be satisfied and proud. Indeed,
on November 6, she proceeded to sign an agreement with the government
on the issue of nurse clinicians. Besides substantially improving
their salary, this agreement recognizes the value of their university
training and their roles. These care professionals will be entitled
to a salary raise of 4.05%, retroactive to April 1, 2007. Thus,
at the top of the salary scale, they will receive remuneration
which is comparable to that of their best-paid colleagues in
the other Canadian provinces.

We must not forget that, in December 2005, despite the fact
that working conditions were imposed on care professionals, the
FIQ had agreed with the government that there would be an evaluation
of the classification of nurse clinicians. This re-evaluation
was designed to examine the match between the duties performed
and the job descriptions.

The work group in charge of this study, composed of the FIQ,
the Conseil du trésor, the Comité patronal
de négociation du secteur de la santé et des services
sociaux, and the Ministry of Health and Social Services,
finally concluded that the changes which occurred in 2006-2007
in the roles, functions and responsibilities of nurse clinicians
were sufficiently significant to raise this job title from Rank
21 to Rank 22. Consequently, the nurse clinician assistant head
nurse job title was raised from Rank 23 to Rank 24, and this,
in accordance with salary structure of the health and social
services sector.

This measure is more necessary than ever before in the current
context of shortage. Though it does not resolve everything, it
is assuredly an excellent measure for the attraction and retention
of nurses who chose to exercise their profession in the public
health network. However, the organization of work in the
various health-care institutions most not be left aside. A more
efficient distribution of duties within the care team will certainly
have a direct, positive influence on the working conditions of
care professionals and, more specifically, on their work load,
without requiring large investments.

The Federation pursues its work to ensure that care professionals
evolve in a healthy environment and that the population continue
to have access to quality care.

Union greetings,