Working conditions: coroners reduce their availability

As of Wednesday, part-time coroners in Quebec will gradually limit their availability until the government “demonstrates its intention to truly negotiate” in order to arrive at changes to their working conditions.

Working conditions: coroners reduce their availability

As of Wednesday, part-time coroners in Quebec will gradually limit their availability until the government “demonstrates its intention to truly negotiate” in order to arrive at changes to their working conditions.

According to the Association des coroners du Québec, the deterioration of working conditions means that approximately 15% of part-time coroners leave the Coroner's Office.

"That the government does nothing to stem such a turnover rate of its coroners eloquently shows how little consideration it has for an institution for which Quebec society has enormous respect," said the professional association by statement on Tuesday.

She laments that the demands surrounding their work "continue to increase" while the organization of work, remuneration and social benefits "are never revised".

“Coroners love their job and do it with professionalism and passion. More than 5,000 death investigations are carried out annually, many of which are accompanied by recommendations intended to make our society and our living environments safer," recalled the Association des coroners du Québec, specifying that this is the first time in 35 years that these professionals have taken action.

She feels that the government does not provide the Coroner's Office with sufficient financial means to carry out its mission responsibly.

The association asks the government to agree “without delay on a statutory negotiation mechanism consisting of a joint table and a tight deadline, given the urgency of the situation”.

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