As the crisis continues in Quebec, the Fédération interprofessionnelle de la santé du Québec (FIQ) is calling on the government of François Legault so that its members can take vacations this summer.
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The ministerial decree adopted on March 21 by Quebec allows employers in the health care network to cancel all leaves, modify schedules and organize staff travel.
However, in several regions such as the Bas-Saint-Laurent and Abitibi-Témiscamingue, it continues to be used “as if there was an acute crisis” even if the situation is stable, deplores the FIQ.
“The healthcare professionals have all collaborated since the start of the health crisis and they understand very well the importance of mobilizing the workers to fight COVID-19, but they observe however that several employers are using the order to resolve problems of pre-crisis workforce and this must stop, ”said FIQ president Nancy Bédard in a press release on Thursday.
The union is therefore asking Quebec to guarantee its 76,000 nurse members, licensed practical nurses, respiratory therapists and clinical perfusionists working in the Quebec health network that they will be able to take vacations this summer.
“While we praised healthcare professionals at the start of the pandemic, we now overlook the disastrous effects it has on their lives. They are mothers, spouses, caregivers: their energy is not only mobilized by the pandemic from a professional point of view, but also becomes an unprecedented puzzle to cope with everyday life, “insisted Nancy Bédard.
Prime Minister François Legault was sensitive to this issue during his daily press briefing.
“I want to tell the nurses that we understand that you’re going to have to take a well-deserved vacation.” It’s just a matter of working together for the rest of things, ”he said.
According to the government’s count, nearly 10,500 health care workers are currently absent as they are infected with COVID-19 or fear they may be. For the moment, Quebec has managed to fill 7200 of these positions thanks to the “I contribute!” Platform, but invites Quebecers to continue volunteering to lend a helping hand to the health network, particularly in CHSLDs.
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