Orderlies at the Sutton CHSLD are sounding the alarm. Almost half of the orderly positions are vacant, and employees fear for the health and safety of users.
“Thirty of the 62 orderly positions are vacant and aren’t being filled. The situation is getting worse by the day because the remaining employees who do come into work are exhausted. We have to wake up before an unfortunate accident takes place,” said CUPE union representative Éric Bergeron.
The employees are demanding an urgent meeting with Health Minister Danielle McCann and the MNA for Brome-Missisquoi, Isabelle Charest, to discuss the problems specific to the Sutton CHSLD and to propose short- and medium-term solutions.
“Virtually all facilities in the health care system are affected by the labour shortage, and we must listen to the stakeholders closest to the working environment because they are more familiar with the problems than anyone and are in a good position to propose solutions,” added Éric Bergeron.
Orderlies in the Sutton CHSLD are members of CUPE Local 4475, which represents more than 5000 category 2 employees in the CIUSSS de l’Estrie-CHUS. Category 2 is made up of para-technical personnel, auxiliary services, and trades. These CUPE members account for about 30% of all personnel in the CIUSSS de l’Estrie – CHUS.