“Forced camping: we’ll be here all summer!” The FIQ is camping outside the Institut universitaire de gériatrie de Montréal
To get through this pandemic, the Fédération interprofessionnelle de la santé du Québec–FIQ demands that healthcare professionals be able to take the time to rest that they deserve. “We had asked that the collective agreements apply in cold zones and that agreements be negotiated with the union party in hot zones, especially in the greater Montreal area. Today, we can say that we have made progress thanks to our actions in the last few weeks. Agreements have been reached in several regions in Quebec, however there are still places where there aren’t any,” said Nancy Bédard, FIQ President.
Below is a list of employers who have been uncooperative and not reached an agreement or determined terms and conditions with the local union to allow everyone to take time off: CIUSSS du Centre-Sud-de-l’Île-de-Montréal (including the Institut universitaire de gériatrie de Montréal), CIUSSS du Centre-Ouest-de-l’Île-de-Montréal, CISSS de la Montérégie-Est, CISSS de la Montérégie-Ouest, CISSS des Laurentides. As for the CISSS du Bas-Saint-Laurent and the CIUSSS de la Capitale-Nationale, local provisions should apply since they are regions that are not considered as hot zones.
The FIQ is camping outside the Institut universitaire de gériatrie de Montréal for 48 hours to show solidarity for healthcare professionals who have not yet received replies about their vacation time. The FIQ’s initiative “Forced camping: we’ll be here all summer!” is geared towards getting the institutions’ management to get moving.
“Healthcare professionals across Quebec must have rest. They need it to be able to care for patients and to continue to fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. It is high time that uncooperative employers take action! When we take the time to sit down together, we find solutions without needing to resort to ministerial orders. Healthcare professionals, who have been on the front lines for almost three months, have to have time to rest—their physical and mental health depend on it. This rest will be beneficial for them and for their patients,” explained Ms. Bédard.