“It’s disrespectful to our profession”: Héma-Quebec nurses angry

Héma-Québec nurses, without a contract for almost 4 years, are protesting at Place Versailles in Montreal this Sunday.

“It’s disrespectful to our profession,” said Vanessa Poirier, president of the HEMA-Quebec nursing assistants association.

The nurses believe they have reached an impasse in negotiations with HEMA-Québec.

They argue that HEMA-Québec’s CEO should have had a 30% salary increase from 2019 to 2020, and say they are shocked that there has been no salary increase since 2018.

However, Héma-Québec’s director of public relations, Laurent-Paul Ménard, argues that the nurses’ accusations are false.

“If we associate the CEO with the chairman and CEO, the information is incorrect, his salary adjustment is 5%,” which is “absolutely fair,” said Mr. Menard says.

CSQ has already ordered a 4-day strike and CSN may ask for a fresh strike order, which it describes as unfair.

The possibility of continuation of their protest activities is not ruled out.

Another demonstration will also be held in Quebec.