PSA fights transfer of workers to RHAs

The Public Services Association (PSA) has begun meeting with health workers employed in the Public Service and telling them about the “pitfalls” of transferring from the Health Ministry to the Regional Health Authorities (RHAs). PSA president Jennifer Baptiste-Primus has mandated the newly-formed “Mobilising Committee” to meet with workers on the issue. Meetings have already taken place at St Ann’s Hospital and San Fernando General Hospital, and with workers of the Port-of-Spain General Hospital at the nurse’s hostel. Chairman of PSA staff section at St Ann’s Hospital and member of the Committee, Aural Saunders, said  yesterday, “It is our duty to let them know of the impending transfer and let them know the union’s position.”

If all of the ministry workers transfer to the RHAs, the PSA stands to lose thousands of members, as it is not the recognised union for RHA workers. Saunders said public officers are fearful of the move to the RHAs, because they have seen how RHA workers have been treated. He said if the RHAs are incapable of managing the workers they now have, how are they going to do better when the rest of public servants join. He referred to the workers with five and more years of service who were still waiting for letters of permanent appointment, and the outstanding arrears of allowances.

North-West RHA CEO, Cynthia Carrington-Murray, has assured the PSA that outstanding allowances would be paid by March 11, it is retroactive only to 2003. The PSA has called for payment to be retroactive from 2000. Saunders said the time had come for a referendum to take place on the RHAs so the public could decide, if after ten years, the RHA system had improved health care in TT. Saunders said various categories of workers are still under the Public Service, including nurses, clerical officers and wards’ maids.

To woo public service workers across to the RHAs, the ministry has assured job security —  workers with two and more years service will be given permanent employment and those in acting positions will be confirmed in the higher post and a transfer bonus allowance equivalent to three months salary. The RHAs will send out letters offering employment next month. Cabinet has allocated approximately $300 million for the transfer of public servants, a sum which includes pension. Newsday learnt that RHA and Health Ministry officials met yesterday at Crowne Plaza to discuss the transfer and develop a policy. Approximately 4,500 workers are still in the Public Service.