MPATT tells PSA: Play by the rules

HEALTH MINISTER John Rahael and the Medical Professionals Association of Trinidad and Tobago (MPATT) yesterday found themselves on the same side regarding the transfer of public service health workers to the Regional Health Authorities (RHAs). Within recent weeks, the Public Services Association (PSA) has been warning Rahael that there be no transfer of its members unless it received a guarantee of recognition to represent them. The PSA has been advocating that the existing RHA legislation be amended accordingly.

When the RHA Amendment Bill 2004 was laid and passed in the House of Representatives on March 5, former health minister Dr Hamza Rafeeq, charged that a provision within the legislation to keep the PSA as the majority union for RHA workers was illegal and unconstitutional. Rahael subsequently indicated that the ministry had received legal advice stating this was so. Sources indicated that based on this development, it is unlikely that the Bill would go before the Senate as initially planned. Acting MPATT president Dr Lakhan Roop told Sunday Newsday that the PSA must apply to the Registration, Recognition and Certification Board (RRCB) if it is seeking to become the majority union to represent doctors in the RHAs.

Roop agreed with the view that the proposed legislation was unconstitutional. Asked about MPATT’s application to the RRCB, Roop disclosed that MPATT last met with the Board in January to clear up certain issues and is awaiting a follow-up meeting with the Board. He also noted that the National Union of Government and Federated Workers, which currently represents daily-rated workers in the RHAs, went through the same process and the tactics now being employed by the PSA were wrong.

Asked about the current contract negotiations between senior doctors and the revised Joint Negotiating Team (JNT) of the RHAs, Roop said both sides would be meet this week to continue their discussions. He said the doctors were more comfortable with the revised JNT, now led by Health Ministry Permanent Secretary Reynold Cooper, because they believed that the results of their deliberations are now reaching the highest echelons within the ministry. Senior doctors recently refused to perform overtime duties at the nation’s hospitals but resumed those services after Rahael assured them that the JNT would be strengthened and other concerns raised by the doctors would be addressed.