NWRHA workers declare war

Scores of North West Regional Health Authority (NWRHA) workers used protest action yesterday to declare “war” on their employer until they get settlement of outstanding  issues. Chief among their concerns is obtaining letters indicating permanent employment for workers with two years and more continuous service. With the industrial relations climate already boiling, a total shutdown is planned today for Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, St Ann’s Hospital, St James Medical Complex and Arima Health Facility. This action was announced by first vice-president of the Public Services Association (PSA), Stephen Thomas and has been sanctioned by PSA president, Jennifer Baptiste-Primus.

Scores of workers voiced their frustration with the NWRHA management in songs and chants as they walked around the Administration Building at EWMSC, Mt Hope from as early as 8.30 am yesterday. There were nine police officers monitoring the situation which got heated at some points but there was no confrontation. The workers’ battle cry was “war” on the management, the chief executive officer and NWRHA. Oral Saunders, chairman of the St Ann’s section of the PSA, said the demonstration was “stage two” of action which will intensify with the shutdown. “If you want employees to be working at their optimum you cannot have them working without permanent appointments,” Saunders told Newsday. He said this put them at a disadvantage because they could not access mortgages, land or purchase vehicles.

Workers across the board are affected including nurses, attendants, wards maids and clerical staff. Another grouse is the non-renewal of the contracts of several workers. They have been working with the contracts given to them when they were hired. Saunders said the NWRHA must have transparency in hiring and clear terms and conditions of employment for all workers. Adding to the workers’ ire is the news that the NWRHA hired on a permanent basis, nurses who recently graduated. They are also calling for the rescinding of promotions given to four clerical workers in the Human Resource Department who went from range 14 to 46. Nurses and enrolled nursing assistants yesterday clamoured for the arrears accrued since 1998 from the nurses incentive allowance settled.

Thomas arrived at 10.45 am and told the workers that Baptiste-Primus was calling out all workers and “all work must stop.” An informal meeting between management and PSA which started at noon and ended at 1.15 pm could not persuade workers to accept CEO Glen Rajack’s assurances. Addressing them afterwards, Thomas said he told the CEO that workers were  “deaf” to the NWRHA promises. He said there will be no work until all the issues are settled.  “No more talk, we run out of talk,” Thomas said.