With many “COVID bonuses” expiring last week, a nurse could pocket $1,800 less each month. The end of these financial incentives raises fears of worker desertion just as the workforce is being downsized for the summer period.
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Several big bonuses ended last Saturday, after being postponed this spring. So say goodbye to the $1,000-a-month “stair bonus” to encourage employees to work full-time.
Bye, bye, also the 4% and 8% bonuses due to the pandemic. The double overtime pay has also returned to a factor of 1.5 and it is no longer possible to accumulate half a day’s vacation per additional shift.
Denis Cloutier, president of the Union of Care Professionals of the East-of-the-Isle of Montreal, cites the example of a nurse who offered two days of overtime per week.
“As of last Sunday, she will be making about $1,800 less a month,” said the representative of the Fédération interprofessionnelle de la santé du Québec, the main union for nurses.
fear of an exodus
His union is therefore calling on the Minister of Health to restore financial incentives, at least for the summer. “It has helped reduce the use of mandatory overtime,” explains Denis Cloutier.
Now he fears a brain drain into the private sector, where wages and working conditions are tempting. The summer holidays will also put a greater strain on the shoulders of the bereaved.
The finding in the Capitale-Nationale is similar, where it is estimated that Quebec could have expected a significant decrease in infections in hospitals.
“We are still working with red zones. We still have to protect ourselves with personal protective equipment,” says Caroline Verret, interim president of the CHU de Québec-CSN workers’ union.
“The workers are afraid that their colleagues will get sick and rest for three months, four months, five months,” she adds.
The President of the Union of Workers of the CUSSS of the Capitale-Nationale (CSN), Richard Boissinot, expects strong reactions at the next payroll in three weeks. “I’m sure it will respond,” he said.
An announced measure
The health minister’s office argues that the end of premiums was announced more than two months ago.
In addition, other incentives remain in place, such as B. $12,000 to $18,000 to persuade caregivers to stay on the network and those devoted to seclusion, evening shifts and weekends.
— In collaboration with Diane Tremblay
Disappearing bonuses
- 4% and 8% COVID-19 premium
- Set “staircase” amount of up to $1,000 per month to encourage attendance at work
- Double rate for overtime
- Accumulation of half a day off per additional shift
- $100 for part-time employees who work more than 30 hours per week
- Reimbursement of taxi rides for overtime
- 150% compensation for executives who perform substitutions
- Free meal or $15 overtime pay
- Reimbursement of parking fees
Bonuses that stay
- Withholding amounts ranging from $12,000 to $18,000
- Bonus for settling in a remote region
- Temporary support grant for executives working with caregivers
- Relaxation of retirement benefits for a rehired retired executive
- Flat rates for private homes for the elderly and religious communities
- Bonus for adding weekend shifts
- Bonus for a day shift change to an unfavorable shift
- Reimbursement of license fees, if applicable
Source: Ministry of Health
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