The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) describes it as deplorable that the Government of Quebec did not think about the health care workers when the Prime Minister announced that from December 24th to 27th , gatherings of 10 people and less will be allowed.
According to CUPE, the announced measures are causing a wave of disarray among employees of the health care and social services network. As a matter of fact, a good part of them will be at work from December 24th to 27th , so it will be impossible for them to see family and friends throughout the holiday season. Normally, people working around Christmas can take some time around New Years’ Day, and vice versa.
The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) is therefore calling on the Government of Quebec for flexibilities that will allow these employees which are hit hard by the pandemic to get their much-deserved share of comfort during the holidays.
“If there is one category of employees who need the emotional support of their relatives and friends, it is those in the health care and social services network, who have been on the front line since March and who have been contaminated by the thousands, says the president of CUPE’s Provincial Council for Social Affairs (CPAS-SCFP), Frédéric Brisson. Health measures are absolutely essential to limit the spread, but the government must demonstrate sensitivity and compassion to protect the morale of the troops”, according to Frédéric Brisson.
Still according to CUPE, the solution could be an exception for December 31st and January 1st that only applies to the employees in question and their relatives. Thus, thereafter, a period of at least four to seven days without contact can be observed before the children return to school.
“The government should have thought about it beforehand and consulted with us, but it is never too late to do the right thing, said Mr. Brisson. It is absolutely necessary to give flexibility to the health care workers, it is a question of their psychological health, already heavily tested. Without this, the credibility of government measures will be damaged and we will have to fear absenteeism, or even a break of service.”
With nearly 122,000 members in Quebec, CUPE represents some 24,700 members in the health care and social services sector in Quebec. CUPE is also present in the following sectors: communications, education, post-secondary, energy, municipal, emergency and security services and transportation. It is the largest union affiliated with the FTQ.
