Two days before the implementation of the mandatory weekend measure at the Sainte-Croix hospital in Drummondville, the nurses are still hoping to change their employer’s mind, so much so that the CIUSSS Mauricie-Centre-du-Québec has appealed to the Administrative Labor Court to put in the pressure tactic to put an end to.
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CIUSSS de la Mauricie-Centre-du-Québec Responds to Pressure Tactics by Nurses; a complaint was lodged with the Administrative Labor Court. The employer relied on Section 111.18 of the Labor Code.
This court can act “if, in the event of a dispute, it considers that concerted action, other than a strike or a slowdown in activity, is or may be detrimental to a service to which the public is entitled,” we can read the Labor Code.
“We have asked the Fédération interprofessionnelle de la santé (FIQ) to stop encouraging its members to use illegal pressure tactics (e.g. position and their seniority, than for the services offered to the population)”, specified the CIUSSS.
He adds that “this leverage is not only illegal, but is likely to cause great concern among the public.”
The union of nurses warned its members on Thursday evening and regrets that the employer has “chosen the repressive path instead of prioritizing dialogue”.
The two parties held a conciliation session on Friday, followed by a hearing before the tribunal early in the afternoon. The decision will be known before next Monday.
Earlier this week, the Alliance of Professional and Technical Health and Social Services Personnel (APTS) provided support to nurses.
“I am disappointed that the employer is taking this route instead of speaking to the union and members. We know there are solutions you haven’t tried yet. The abrasive method they use causes more damage because people are abandoning the ship,” stressed APTS MCQ President Véronique Neth.
Given the whole situation, nurses in Mauricie-Centre-du-Québec are wondering if their union should follow Granby’s example and ask for CNESST’s intervention.
“All our interventions have not worked, so we have decided to contact CNESST. This has prompted the employer to act, he must draw up action plans, ”said the interim president of the FIQ des Cantons-de-l’Est, Stéphanie Goulet.
“If it’s already started to have churn and people are already in distress and it can be demonstrated, sure CNESST might be able to watch, but will it get the whole picture? I have no idea,” Ms Goulet added.
The demonstration planned for Sunday at the Sainte-Croix hospital in Drummondville is maintained. Departures to the meeting point are planned from all over the region. The union called a general meeting for the next day.