The healthcare professionals are demanding safe care for the patients in the CISSSME residential centres
The Syndicat des professionnelles en soins de Montérégie-Est (FIQ-SPSME) are denouncing a lack of willingness on the part of the CISSSME administration to support their staff who are at the end of their rope. After months of discussion on implementing humane working conditions and safe care for the patients in residential centres, no concrete action has been taken. At a meeting between the employer and the FIQ-SPSME on January 29th, the employer did not take the necessary actions in face of the healthcare professionals’ heartfelt pleas.
“We thought the employer heard the many distress calls from our members and would suggest promising solutions to combat the excessive workload and offer better care to the public. We had hoped that our healthcare professionals would finally have the time to provide patients with care in line with their skills”, explained Jean-Michel Varin, President of the FIQ-SPSME.
Despite the solutions proposed by the union, namely the FIQ healthcare professional ratios and acknowledgement of the tremendous support of the licensed practical nurses with the team leader premium, the CISSSME administration has chosen inertia. Compulsory overtime, substitution of job title and a lack of resources remain the lot of employees working in the CISSSME residential centres.
“We have started a legal process which will make a difference in improving the quality and safety of care. We will be shouting out our anger loud and clear over the next few months. We will not keep silent about what is indefensible. We will no longer do our utmost to support the network. The employer has to take responsibility and pressure the government if needed”, stated Mr. Varin.