Since last winter, several nurses from all regions of Quebec are mobilizing in theirs middlex to improve theirs working conditions. At last winter, public testimony of a nurse has launched a wave of denunciations, awareness and collective action made by nurses. Theirs claims? L’amélioration quality of work life and quality of life in theirs patient.es. they claim, among others, the end of mandatory overtime (RELEASE), safer-nurse ratios patient.es, access to more care equipment for patient.es.

To better understand thedaily heart, members carers ofOutaouais have published The book Black of Ottawa emergency (2018) wherein found tens testimonies which here are some extracts :

I have trouble looking in the eye my patients and their families and tell them that everything will be fine, unconvinced myself that everything will be fine. (Testimony, p. 13)

Tonight as several other, I put my license work involved. Fortunately, I am vigilant and perfectionist. But, tonight, I was ashamed and I was dissatisfied with the care my patients. I never thought I would have to answer to my patients who ask me to change their soiled panties from 1 hour : "sorry, I will have to return, we are short-staffed, but I promise you that as soon as I 5 minutes, I come to see you "! Seriously, this is unacceptable, I never would treat a family member that way! (Testimony, p. 39)

The manager of the department comes forward with its "expression of compassion" glued to the face (as usual) to ask if we accept to remain "a little 4 this morning " ? He walks past my colleague to talk to him, she expresses her refusal to remain this morning, but insists. My colleague asked me if forced […]. (Testimony, p. 18)

At the emergency, we always helped each, not only as a team, but as a family. Recently, the workload became so heavy that we can not even support us. (Testimony, p. 9)

It's time shout: THAT'S ENOUGH. IT'S NO! (Testimony, p.11)

 

Unlike many initiatives in the workplace, cette mobilization lifent base; pas trade union confederations, ni des politicen.nes, or of dubious project manager. Nurses take themselves means that their convienNENT to be heard and change power dynamics that affect their profession. Among the different ways they have made, some are illegal, other more artistic, other, offensive. Examples :

-Manifestations locales ofith the support of the population;

-Micro-open and public testimony: Nurses are generally punished when they speak publicly;

-Sit-in to change the quarterfinals against mandatory overtime (illegal);

-Self-denunciation : Nurses have a professional who is technically protect the security of theirs patient.es. They have, hundreds, contacted their order to expose themselves as working conditions endanger patient.es. Thishead action forced their order take positiit publicly in their favor;

Their struggle is an example of what workers can do by themselves, for themselves. We rarely talk about campaigns in predominantly female sectors, or in care jobs, historically lefts Women's. If people findnt the health care protests less strikings or radicals because shes ne brandish no gun to nails by picketing, it nevertheless remains that they make a fight from the base, rooted in theirs middlex. Egirls politicize their daily, take control over theirs middlex working, improve theirs conditions and those of our health system.

solidarity with the nurses, nurses and all health care staff!

 

Joëlle Dussault

1is November 2018 for Social, the newspaper workers and community workers.

 

Photo credit: Cedric Martin