October 2020 - Bleu APTS

Withdrawing services during the second wave: let’s do a better job

30 October 2020 |

Unless we succeed in quickly stopping the pandemic through our collective efforts, the government will have to consider the possibility of withdrawing certain activities so that personnel can be reassigned to key locations. This is the reality of the situation even if two ministers, Christian Dubé and Lionel Carmant, have said they want to maintain all of the services usually provided to Quebecers.

Services for seniors require urgent improvement

23 October 2020 |

As the second wave surges, we urgently need to learn from last spring’s events in order to prevent a grim repeat of the death tolls witnessed among our elders. That’s why we responded to the call issued by the Québec Ombudsman (Protecteur du citoyen) in its investigation into the management of the COVID-19 crisis in CHSLDs.

COVID-19 and labs: a (poorly) controlled slide into chaos

23 October 2020 |

If you’ve never worked in a medical lab, it’s hard to imagine the alarming circumstances into which graduate medical lab technicians and medical technologists were plunged during the first wave of COVID-19. And the situation only got more dramatic with the second wave.

Systemic racism: a shared responsibility

23 October 2020 |

Leading Indigenous rights advocate Michèle Audette travelled to Joliette with her step-daughter to support Joyce Echaquan’s family, who were in a state of shock the day after the Atikamekw mother of seven died in hospital. We asked Michèle what message she wanted to give to health and social services workers who are deeply concerned and shaken by the systemic racism exposed by Joyce shortly before her death.

Learning to stand up for our professions

22 October 2020 |

How can we demand conditions of practice that are compatible with our obligations, and defend the interests of the people we serve? APTS members will soon be offered a training activity on this topic.

How to protect your mental health

22 October 2020 |

You’re indispensable. But that doesn’t mean you’re immune to stress, anxiety or depression. The incidence of these conditions is on the rise, especially now that the pandemic has been gaining strength. Protecting your mental health is crucial—and it’s a shared responsibility between you, your employer and your union.

Vital professions: in your own words

22 October 2020 |

While the APTS ad describing the variety and value of the professions it represents was being aired, we contacted some of the members featured in the ad to talk about why they agreed to be part of the project and how the pandemic has affected their professional life.

CNESST vs. disability insurance claims

16 October 2020 |

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the APTS has noticed that physical and mental health problems are on the rise among our members. Unfortunately, people often forget that if their injury or illness is directly attributable to their work, they should submit a claim to the CNESST (Labour standards, pay equity and occupational health and safety commission).