The fifty or so employees with the 911 emergency call centre in the Agglomeration of Longueuil are at their wits’ end. They are exhausted, and their union is making an urgent appeal to denounce the inaction of decision-makers regarding a situation that has dragged on for years in this nerve centre that answers to the Service de police de l’agglomération de Longueuil.
In 2018, external firms conducted two investigations that yielded the same findings – there is a problem at the 911 call centre.
Staff shortages have resulted in excessive workload, and the employer is unable to retain its new hires. This is in addition to difficult labour relations, obsolete equipment and a lack of training for employees.
These problems have caused numerous cases of psychological distress and absenteeism. Although the situation is well documented, the City is still unable to come up with lasting solutions affecting this centre that serves Longueuil, Boucherville, Brossard, Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville and Saint-Lambert.
No municipal government has been able to resolve this situation in the past eight years.
The union is hoping that its talks with Fady Dagher, the director of the police department, and his team will be precursors to major change at the 911 call centre.
The union representatives are anxious to collaborate with the employer in the search for solutions to ensure a healthy work environment for these dedicated employees.