Santé-Quebec bows to pressure and extends workers’ lifespan by one year

Quebec’s new health authority, Santé Québec, announced Wednesday it will give health workers who work overtime at several hospitals an extra year to adjust to new rules limiting the hours to 40 per week.

The decision came after The Gazette reported that Santé Québec, which will bring Quebec’s hospitals and clinics under a single employer on Dec. 1, planned to cut those workers’ hours as part of its restructuring, requiring most of them to choose one job by the end of November. . The health authority initially said the move was made to comply with labor laws regarding overtime pay.

But in a statement, Santé Québec president Geneviève Biron emphasized a more flexible approach, saying: “I try to avoid direct approaches. In recent days, I have heard the heartfelt cry of many part-time employees. I hope we give ourselves time to support them and find solutions for the benefit of users and employees.”

This report will be updated.

[email protected]

Recommended by the editor