(Montreal) As part of its negotiations with public sector unions, Quebec wishes to extend the work week of certain employees in the health and social services network. The normal working week would thus be reduced from 35 to 37.5 hours.

A dozen job titles would be affected, such as extern in medical technology, criminologist, health technician working in medical laboratories, health technician in medical imaging and others, indicated in an interview Friday Josée Fréchette, first vice -president of the APTS (Alliance of professional and technical personnel in health and social services).

Ms. Fréchette recalls that there is a shortage of manpower in the health and social services sector and that the workers in post are often exhausted.

“For us, this is not an improvement. We are in contradiction, because the government wants to attract, retain people and provide good conditions and, at the same time, we increase working hours,” she laments.

In its offer, Quebec also wants to “redefine what constitutes overtime,” she notes.