June 11, 2020

Nurses, licensed practical nurses, respiratory therapists and clinical perfusionists cannot take anymore: this is the message they sent to the government today at a demonstration where over a hundred FIQ and FIQP union reps turned their back on the National Assembly of Québec.

The FIQ and FIQP believe that, since the beginning of the pandemic, the government has turned its back on healthcare professionals. “We denounced injustices, made demands, proposed solutions and fought for the health of our patients. Now it’s time we don’t take no for an answer. Healthcare professionals want to be able to practice their profession without it costing their lives, they demand that the government tackle the health network’s core problems,” said Nancy Bédard, FIQ President.

The FIQ and FIQP are specifically demanding safe working environments, pay that reflects the high level of risks healthcare workers face, that ministerial orders cease, and the withdrawal of Bill 61. The government needs to put an end to the inhumane working conditions that it has imposed on its healthcare workers.

“It’s inhumane when we cannot offer our patients the quality care we are trained to give, or when management doesn’t take into account the fact that we have families. It’s inhumane to send us to the front lines without proper protective equipment and then to promise premiums that, in the end, are minimal and inequitable. We see inhumanity when the government makes compromises, even with democracy, and wields power abusively, be it through ministerial orders or Bill No. 61! It is absolutely crucial that the government restore healthcare professionals’ rights,” denounced Ms. Bédard.

Let’s end the inhumane.