Quebec nurses to strike against mandatory overtime Monday

Quebec's largest nursesunion has called a one-day strike on Monday, April 8 to protest againstwhat it calls "organizational violence" by employers in the form of mandatory overtime.

Nancy Bdard, president of theFdrationinterprofessionnelle de la sant (FIQ), said the day of protest will ensure FIQ's 76,000 members getone "normal"work day.

"A day when they are not likely to be taken hostage:that is the goal," Bdard said.

The expectation that nurses work overtime regularly and without noticeundermines their rights ashealth care professionals and has a direct impact on the qualityof care.

The head of FIQ for theLower St. Lawrence region, Cindie Soucy, talked about just how grim the working conditions are for many nurses at a news conference Tuesday.

"We have workers in detention," Soucy said. "They are forced to stay, and work and they fear reprisals from their employers."

Demanding CAQ governmentstep up

Monday's strike has also been organized to remind the Coalition AvenirQubecgovernment that it promised nurses it would put an end to mandatory overtime during last year's election campaign.

On Jan.22, Health Minister Danielle McCannpromised an improvement to the situation by the end of 2019.

"This is a huge step in the right direction. By working together, we will get there," she said.

McCanncalled on management at the province's health care institutions to plan staffing accordingly, in light of the overtime strike.

In her statement, McCann saidthe health and safety of patients must not be jeopardized by the FIQ protest.

"The use of compulsory overtime is part of nurses' professional obligations," the statement read.