Last Monday, representatives of CUPE 3247, which represents more than 6,000 workers at the Montérégie-Ouest Integrated Health and Social Services Centre (CISSSMO), met with Alexandre Daneau, newly elected member of the Québec National Assembly for the riding of Beauharnois, in Montérégie region. The meeting included discussions on different issues affecting the quality of care and services to the public, most importantly the issue of eliminating care unit attendant positions in long-term care centres and seniors’ homes.
At the end of October, CISSSMO management announced its intention to eventually eliminate these positions. In addition to preparing material and equipment used by personal support workers, unit attendants provide a human presence and an extra safety net for patients. For example, unit attendants often have positive interactions with patients, taking the time to reassure them or keep them occupied, preventing falls and sometimes even responding to patient call buttons. But most importantly, unit attendants speed up and facilitate care by freeing up clinical staff.
“Having less support staff will inevitably lead to a lower quality of life for residents and less attention being given to them. The tasks of unit attendants would certainly fall on the shoulders of personal support workers, kitchen staff and housekeeping staff, among others,” explained Nancy Quenneville, president of CUPE 3247.
At the end of November, CISSSMO management is set to complete an analysis of the role and contribution of unit attendants, and CUPE 3247 will be taking a close look at the results.
CUPE representatives and the MNA were also able to discuss the replacement of cooks by a robot at the Maison des aînés de Valleyfield, chronic violence in continuous care residences (RACs) and staff recruitment challenges at the new Hôpital de Vaudreuil-Soulanges.
“We were very pleased that MNA Alexandre Daneau requested this meeting with us. He showed concern for the issues we raised and took the time to explore different possible solutions. We thank him for welcoming us and taking the time to listen,” concluded Nancy Quenneville.
