Quebec has come to an agreement with the unions on new bonuses and work schedule adjustments in the hope of bringing workers back to the health network, where absences and resignations have been increasing for weeks.
At the start of the day on Thursday, the government announced a series of new measures in a press release. These were originally due to be made public on Tuesday, but talks with the unions took longer than expected.
The government is therefore improving a series of bonuses, in addition to postponing, once again, the expiry of the retention and attraction bonus program (from $ 12,000 to $ 30,000) announced in September. Health care workers have until March 31 to express their interest in the program. This has attracted 1,779 workers for the moment, far from the objective of 4,000 that Quebec had set itself almost 4 months ago.
In addition, resignations follow one another in the network: more than 500 orderlies, nursing assistants and nurses have left the ship since December. A number to which can be added the 20,000 employees of the health network who were absent from the network due to COVID-19 as of January 7 and the 30,000 others who are for various reasons, such as sick leave or maternity.
Double rate compensation
To attract new reinforcements, Quebec therefore relies on double-rate compensation for part-time employees who work an evening, night or weekend shift, in addition to their regular working day, subject to certain terms that were not specified in the press release.
Double-rate remuneration will also be given to professionals who work a 6th or 7th day of work in the same work week, while a lump sum of $ 100 will be granted to part-time employees who will work at least 30 hours of work. work in a week. The government is also committed to expanding the application of “COVID bonuses” – also called “staircase bonuses” – to several job titles in hospitals, youth protection centers and CLSCs.
Quebec is also responding to a long-standing demand from unions by promising “intensification of the implementation of self-management of schedules in establishments”. It also grants half a day’s vacation for each day worked beyond the normal work week.
Finally, the government and the unions have agreed to a reimbursement of work-related expenses when the employee works overtime (meals, taxi vouchers, etc.).
“These measures are part of the change in culture that we have initiated for our health network to make it more human and efficient, in particular by offering a better work-life balance”, underlined the Minister of Health, Christian Dubé.