Another day of strike by Héma-Québec employees in Montreal on Monday should have no repercussions for people wishing to donate blood.
For the fifth time since last July, members of the Héma-Québec Nurses’ Union based in Greater Montreal will strike Monday, a few weeks before the fourth anniversary of the end of their collective agreement.
Union spokesman Gabriel Danis told QMI Agency that the walkout will have no effect on blood collections and other blood products. On the other hand, appointments scheduled for Monday could be postponed, he said.
Héma-Québec has also confirmed that certain appointments will be postponed.
The organization “will communicate directly with the donors affected by this strike in order to agree on another beach so that they can make their donation. We invite all donors, whose appointment has not been postponed, to show up as planned. We must continue our beautiful mission of life on these days as well.
The union is calling for pay parity for its nurses and nursing assistants with those working in the public health network.
“Staff provide valuable services to the entire population. Without it, it is impossible to meet the needs of the population for blood and other human biological products. We invite the management to take its responsibilities in order to guarantee attractive and respectful working conditions for its staff, ”said union president Nancy Landry.
For its part, the employer has indicated that a bargaining blitz is scheduled for March 13, 15 and 16 for workers in Quebec City, and March 17, 22 and 30 for those in Montreal. These negotiations must be held in the presence of a conciliator.
“The Héma-Québec representatives participating in the negotiations are making every effort to find a solution that will lead to an agreement in principle and a positive conclusion,” assured the organization.
The labor dispute has been going on for years at Héma-Québec, as the employees’ collective agreement expired on March 31, 2019.