September 3, 2020

All throughout the summer, the FIQ’s Negotiating Committee held weekly meetings with government representatives. The goal of these meetings was to explain our demands for improving healthcare professionals’ working conditions and the often difficult underlying context.

The FIQ’s demands consist of concrete solutions for resolving alarming problems in the health network, problems that affect both healthcare professionals and their patients.

The proposed solutions are aimed at breaking the infernal spiral that renders healthcare professionals’ work impossible:

• Excessive workloads;
• Absenteeism and departures (to other centres of activity, other institutions or other professions);
• Overtime and mandatory overtime;
• Staff shortage.

In the meetings, the government representatives asked specific questions but didn’t comment on the demands. The FIQ is therefore awaiting a reply from the employer party regarding all of its demands. The reply should be a clear commitment from the government to take quick action to improve healthcare professionals’ health and safety, as well as to attract and retain staff in the network. These are the FIQ’s two negotiation priorities, areas where there needs to be real changes, both for healthcare professionals and their patients.

Mobilized members

During the summer, union teams organized many activities, in accordance with social distancing measures, in order to meet with members, talk about their experiences and discuss the provincial negotiations.

Trucks sporting the negotiation colours drove along Quebec’s highways to participate in the various activities. They’ll be out and about throughout the fall, which will likely be very hot. Mobilization is underway and several activities are being prepared. Keep an eye out!