Paramedics participating in the government’s JeContribue program were shocked to learn about 1.R Their salaries have been cut by more than a third in January.
“It’s disrespectful,” exclaims paramedic Marc-Oliver Plante, who has been participating in the JeContribue project since December 2020.
In addition to his work as a paramedic, Marc-Olivier Plante visited the screening clinic in Rimouski during his weekend to lend a hand to the health network.
“I was listening to press conferences and heard that they needed help to reduce the pressure on the network, he says. I decided to go there. »
I was doing line ambulance for seven days and then working in the screening clinic for seven days. I did this for months.
Marc-Olivier Plante is a paramedic who has participated in the JeContribue program since December 2020
He learned that his hourly rate dropped from $32 to $21 this week. “I want to continue, but not on these terms. »
A “service assistant” title
Because paramedics in Quebec report to the Argens-Sante system or private ambulance companies, the topic of their condition does not appear in the health network.
Since the start of the pandemic, paramedics participating in the JeContribue program have been deemed “responsible for quality assurance and training in pre-hospital emergency services”. 1R In January, their title was changed to “Service Assistant”, resulting in a significant drop in their salaries.
Over the past few days, various CISSS and CIUSSS office agents contacted the paramedics concerned and relayed the news.
“It’s a cold shower in the face of paramedics,” said Jeremy Landry, vice-president of labor relations for Quebec’s Federation of Pre-hospital Workers.
It is ridiculous that our profession is not recognized by the Ministry of Health.
Jeremy Landry, vice-president of labor relations for the Federation of Pre-Hospital Employees of Quebec
Mr. Plant expressed regret. “We do vaccine preparation, vaccination and screening. That’s not the service assistant’s job,” he exclaims.
Department of Health and Social Services Pres This revision of job titles applies to all temporary employees who did not hold a job degree at the health network prior to joining JeContribue, which includes medical ambulance technicians, thanatologists and podiatrists.
The ministry maintains conditions remain unchanged for the majority of JeContribue workers, including nurses, respiratory therapists and beneficiary assistants.
“I Won’t Go Back”
Quebec’s confederation of pre-hospital workers regrets the treatment of its employees. “Paramedics are the guardian angels of the government during the epidemic. They did their job as paramedics and also came to strengthen the health network,” said Mr. Landry said.
With this recent change in government, many “paramedics no longer want to contribute to the health network,” he laments.
This is the Marc-Oliver Plante case. “The next time there is an epidemic or a situation where they need us, it will be without me. I will not go back. Not with such treatment. »
Learn more
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- Over 17,000
- Number of people still working on the network with JeContribue
Source: Ministry of Health and Social Services
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- 4.4%
- Proportion of JeContribue employees who are currently employed and have had a change in their pay
Source: Ministry of Health and Social Services
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