Quebec Wants To Give CHSLD Workers A Big Ole Pay Bump

Nursing home workers could finally get a salary boost. In an ongoing collective bargaining agreement with workers' unions, the Quebec government is proposing an 18% wage increase for all full-time CHSLD attendants. Though they've been called "guardian angels" during the health crisis, these employees have been under tremendous strain and Legault has repeatedly acknowledged the need to pay them more.

The Conseil du Trésor shared its new proposals on Tuesday.

President of the Treasury, Chrisitan Dubé, shared how the proposal would shape up on his Twitter page. 

"Full-time CHSLD workers will see their annual salaries rise from $42,000 to $51,000 ($26.89/hour), an 18% increase overall," the Treasury says. 

Nurses and health care workers were included in this proposal, though negotiations are ongoing. 

Teachers could also see a salary increase if the proposal goes through.

Entry-level teachers could start at $50,000/year.

A CBC News report says that even before the pandemic hit Quebec, nursing homes and health care facilities were understaffed, underpaid, and overworked. 

The Quebec government has admitted that they need to do more to better compensate CHSLD attendants and health care workers, many of whom have been on the front lines since day one. 

Early this month, Premier François Legault announced salary bonuses for those working full-time in COVID-19 affected residences.

As of May 26, a full-time position at a Laval CHSLD pays $22 per hour.

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The government's proposal would see the salary increases take effect from now until 2023. 

According to La Presse, the government is aiming to settle this agreement before the end of June.

Now, it's up to the workers' unions to review and decide on their next steps. 

Stay tuned for more news.