Over 100 job cuts at several Montreal health institutions amid labour shortage in health network

Amid a labour shortage in the healthcare network, 117 jobs for auxiliary nurses and orderlies in long-term care homes have been cut in the CIUSSS du Centre-Sud-de-l’Île-de-Montréal (CCSMTL), uncovered in a report by LaPresse.

According to the CCSMTL, during the pandemic, they had to deploy “extraordinary financial and human resources to get through the pandemic.”

Now, they want to return to a “certain normality” after “extraordinary” expenses during the pandemic by rebalancing its resources between sectors and shifts.

In total, 117 positions will be eliminated, including five nursing assistant positions in the emergency department at Hôpital Notre-Dame and six orderly positions. In addition, 15 nursing assistants and 86 orderly positions in 17 CHSLDs will also be cut.

The CCSMTL say they hope that people affected by the cuts will choose other vacant positions within the organization, since the need for nursing assistants and orderlies is still ongoing.

“We have enough vacant positions to rehire each of the people affected by this reorganization, if they wish,” the CCSMTL said in a statement.

In the meantime, 267 positions for orderlies and health and social services assistants are available, along with 101 positions for nursing assistants.

The CCSMTL said they will facilitate the hiring process for people whose positions have been eliminated and will assist them in their process to apply for another position within the organization.

“We are aware that this news can generate anxiety, questioning and concern. We have made psychological support resources available to these people.”