(Montreal) Quebec nurses will see their income decrease in two weeks, if nothing changes by then.
Three premiums will indeed expire on March 30, including a 3.5% premium for all healthcare professionals. This bonus had been obtained during the last negotiation of the collective agreements.
Two other bonuses, one evening of 4% and one night of 2.5%, for those who work full time in the 24/7 centers, will also expire on the same date.
These bonuses will not be maintained as are the salaries, when the collective agreement expires on March 31.
They will end. “Just the 3.5% bonus is perhaps around $5,000 per year per healthcare professional”, depending on the level at which she is, said in an interview Thursday the president of the Interprofessional Federation Health (FIQ), Julie Bouchard.
“It’s a bonus that was very interesting. It affected all healthcare professionals, therefore nurses, nursing assistants, respiratory therapists and clinical perfusionists. And it was according to the days worked, ”insists the union leader.
She says she fears the repercussions of this decrease in income, while Quebec is seeking to keep nurses in the public network, or even to bring back those from the private sector.
Moreover, Quebec rightly states that it is the evening and night shifts that are particularly difficult to fill.
“What is likely to happen is perhaps to see a vacuum, precisely, of healthcare professionals who, instead of remaining in positions with unfavorable shifts, will rather want to go to day positions. It risks creating an even larger hole than at present, ”said M.me Bouchard.
The president of the FIQ finds it “inconceivable that we need to have these discussions” with the Quebec government, in the midst of a shortage of nurses, while they are still leaving the public network for the private sector, where they obtain better working conditions.
“It’s really not the time to go and play in this remuneration. The work is already extremely difficult… It’s like a disavowal of the healthcare professionals,” concluded Ms.me Bouchard.
Contacted, the office of the Minister of Health and Social Services, Christian Dubé, referred us to the Treasury Board.
In turn, the office of the President of the Treasury Board, Sonia LeBel, did not deny the information. He said that “these are bonuses negotiated and discussed with the unions”.
“As we are in negotiation, we will not comment further,” added the minister’s office.