The union representing workers at the CISSS de la Montérégie-Est put its boss on notice Monday morning, asking him to wait before approving its decision to transfer the laundry at the Pierre-Boucher hospital in Longueuil to a private company.
In the spring of 2024, the Integrated Health and Social Services Centre (CISSS) of Montérégie-Est announced that the laundry at the Pierre-Boucher hospital, in northeast Longueuil, would be transferred to a private supplier, with a view to reducing costs.
However, according to the national collective agreement, when an element of privatization is considered, the CISSS must send information relating to the project so that the union can propose an alternative. Something that the employer has not done, according to the union.
In its formal notice, the union accuses it of having failed to provide important information, which prevents it from being able to offer this “public alternative” for the laundry.
“We have asked several times to have figures so that we can submit an alternative project, to keep our public laundry. The employer does not want to give us crucial documents,” says Nathalie Bruneau, vice-president of health and safety at the Syndicat des travailleurs et travailleurs du CISSS de la Montérégie-Est.
What we tell them is: “Wait before signing the contracts,” because we want to propose another project.
Nathalie Bruneau, Vice-President of Health and Safety at the Union of Workers of the CISSS de la Montérégie-Est
The hospital laundry room cleans hospital bed sheets, as well as gowns, uniforms and anything related to clothing in health centers. The one at Pierre-Boucher Hospital serves more than 22 establishments.
There are two other laundries on the CISSS territory – at the Hôtel-Dieu in Saint-Hyacinthe and the one in Sorel-Tracy – which remain public.
Renovation, distribution and petition
For its part, the CISSS explained by email that it had to “put an end to the washing and drying activities of the Pierre-Boucher Hospital laundry room due to recurring issues with the operation of the equipment and the costs associated with the required repairs.”
His plan was therefore to distribute “production between the laundries of the Hôtel-Dieu de Sorel, the Hôtel-Dieu de Saint-Hyacinthe [et] an external supplier”.
“As planned and announced to union partners, the call for tenders was published on July 18,” recalls the CISSS, ready to sign a contract to ratify everything.
The union had also filed a paper petition to this effect on August 22 – the deadline for the call for tenders – with the office of Lionel Carmant, the sector’s MP. It now plans to file it directly with the National Assembly.
The CISSS covers the entire northeastern part of Montérégie, in an area located between the borough of Vieux-Longueuil, Sorel-Tracy and Acton Vale.