Quebec Health Minister Yves Bolduc said that because of contract negotiations between the government and nurses, patients must not suffer.

The comments from him came following refusal of work by five nurses at Pierre-Boucher Hospital in Longueuil on Sunday night in the intensive care unit. They refused to work because they wanted assurance they would not be asked to work extra hours.

The five nurses adopted a work-to-rule routine, tending only to emergencies, said they regularly are required to work overtime.

Similar protests were seen in recent weeks nurses at various hospitals.

Bolduc said, "For me the most important thing is that nobody - no patient - should suffer because of the fact that we have negotiations. I know that this is a process of negotiation. I respect the idea the nurses have a lot work and the conditions are not so good."

There are reports that the minister stopped short of saying there would be sanctions.

Hélène Rouselle, one of five nurses alleged that they were made to do a 16-hour shift. She added, "It affects us a lot psychologically. I don't know how much more I can take."