Author: The Record
Published November 30, 2023

By William Crooks

Local Journalism Initiative

The Common Front, a union group comprised of 420,000 Quebec public sector workers, announced plans for a seven-day strike from Dec. 8 to 14. According to Danny Roulx, provincial representative for the Alliance du Personnel Professionnel et Technique de la Santé et des Services Sociaux (APTS), part of the Common Front, public sector health workers face particular challenges.

In a recent interview, Roulx shared insights on the ongoing strike and its significant impact on the health network in Quebec.

Roulx highlighted the withdrawal of a key “centre documentaire”, a centre that holds important documentation, a move that has affected several sectors within the health network. This action has prompted various sector workers to craft new responses to the challenges they now face, especially those working with individuals suffering from sexual disorders or behavioral issues. “All of this was removed by the employer,” he said, and it is important for them to put it all back in place.

A critical aspect of the strike revolves around the financial strain it places on APTS members. Roulx confirmed that while there is strike compensation, it kicks in only after a certain period (60 days), acknowledging the monetary sacrifices members are making. The core message from the APTS members is clear – enough is enough. After years of vocalizing their issues and suffering salary losses, they demand an augmentation of their conditions. The loss of skilled professionals to other sectors or places offering better salaries is a stark reality that the health network faces.

Roulx passionately spoke about the struggle to maintain a network that provides quality care and upholds the standards of the past. He pointed out that the current scenario often forces them to make difficult decisions about the care they can or cannot provide, deeply affecting the members who are dedicated to the health network.

The APTS’s stance is not just about immediate concerns but also about the future of the health network. The strike is seen as a necessary step to ensure a sustainable, efficient, and caring health system that attracts and retains qualified personnel.

“One woman out of ten in Quebec works in the health network – where do you think they’ll go?” he added.

The support of the population and the government’s willingness to acknowledge the gravity of the situation are pivotal in this regard.

Roulx also touched upon the challenges faced in reallocating personnel during the pandemic, critiquing the arbitrary manner in which decisions were made. He emphasized the need for equitable mechanisms in managing staff movements and placements, ensuring that personnel are familiar with and trained for the sectors they are moved to.

On the possibility of escalating the strike to an unlimited duration, Roulx expressed a firm resolve to go all the way next time, underlining the importance of continuous pressure to bring about change. The overarching goal is clear – to improve the network for the benefit of both the workforce and the patients, making it a win-win in the long run compared to the losses incurred during strike days.

Roulx emphasized the broader societal impact of the strike, particularly on parents and the education system. He drew attention to the numerous services postponed due to staff shortages and challenging working conditions, a situation that pales in comparison to the strike’s impact.

“We understand very well… that [poor working conditions] paralyze the networks, including education… I can tell you that out of 365 days, the number of services that we have [had] to postpone, whether it’s an operation, surgery, mental health services, given the personnel shortage, [is considerable],” Roulx insisted.

Responding to a request for an interview, CIUSSS de l’Estrie – CHUS Media Relations member Eliane Thibault sent the following statement over email:

“For the moment, we are not able to provide a precise response regarding the consequences of [the] seven-day strike. However, there will be slowdowns and reductions in care and services. Several factors must be considered in the organization of services during this strike, which will be longer than the previous ones, including the fact that it affects the weekend shifts. We will also have to deal with the strike of the employees who are members of the FIQ, who have also announced strike days from Dec. 11 to 14.”

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