This text is part of the special Syndicalism booklet
The union has just submitted its sectoral demands to the government.
“When we drew up the list of our demands,” emphasizes Josée Fréchette, First Vice-President of the Alliance of Professional and Technical Personnel in Health and Social Services (APTS), “we remained realistic and reasonable, while ensuring that these requests would greatly contribute to the improvement of the working conditions of our members. »
One request concerns the number of weeks of vacation, now set at 4 weeks after one year of service. After 17 years of service, one day of vacation is added per year, which leads to 5 weeks of vacation after 25 years of service. The union would like to increase to 5 weeks after one year of service to reach 6 weeks after 25 years. In addition, out of the 10 days of family leave planned, the union would like 5 of them to be paid.
“The vacation agreement dates back to 1975, it’s time for an upgrade, says Mme Frechette. In addition, 80% of our members are women and it is often women who bear the burden of caring for sick children or relatives. Remuneration for half of this leave would be a recognition of this contribution. »
The issue of premiums
Currently, employees who work evenings, weekends and nights are entitled to a bonus. The APTS would like to see these premiums increase to within the range of 8 to 16%, depending on the circumstances. “We know that these are the most difficult shifts to fill, and raising the bonuses would make them more attractive and encourage more people to choose them. In addition, this could have the effect of making the use of compulsory overtime less frequent. »
In the health and social services network, there is also a premium for critical and psychiatric care. Currently, only certain types of jobs are entitled to this bonus and only if care is provided in certain care units: for example, a psychologist in the burns unit. “This way of proceeding creates inconsistencies, says Mme Frechette. What we want is for the bonus to no longer be linked to the type of job or the care unit, but rather to the patient. If a patient requires critical or psychiatric care, the premium should apply regardless of who provides the care and where that care is provided. »
Holidays and overtime
The APTS would like all of its members who have to work on a statutory holiday to be able to obtain double-time remuneration in addition to a day of compensatory leave. “The compensatory day off in a network that operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and which experiences a labor shortage is often theoretical,” she points out.
In addition, the union would like overtime, currently at time and a half, to become double time, for all job categories, whether they are clinical or not. The APTS also wants employees who are on call at home, that is to say on standby to return to work if they are called, to receive compensation of two hours’ salary instead of one hour, as this is currently the case.
Other claims
The APTS also asks the employer to grant an annual amount for professional development, an amount that could be used to cover the costs associated with training and professional conferences. “Half of our members are also members of a professional order, specifies Josée Fréchette, which implies an obligation of continuing education. However, supporting continuing education represents a benefit for the users who receive the services. »
Responding favorably to these requests would be a way for the government to recognize the true value of the contribution of workers in the health and social services network. “Minister Dubé, in his plan to overhaul the health system, recalls the first vice-president, indicated that he wanted the network to become the best employer in Quebec. Now it’s up to him to prove it. »
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