EHS workers still at standstill

New ambulances, contracts and improved work conditions are the demands which Emergency Health Service (EHS) workers want addressed before they return to work. A meeting with management was scheduled for 7 pm yesterday at EHS Administration Office Bryce Street, Couva.  Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) said for the past two years they have made numerous complaints “through proper channels.” On Monday they had had enough talk and stopped work in the afternoon. In a media release yesterday, Health Minister Colm Imbert advised the EMTs to return to work as they are part of an essential service and are prohibited from taking any form of industrial action. He instructed the South West Regional Health Authority (SWRHA) to meet with representatives of the EMTs to determine the “exact nature of their grievances” so the matter could be settled amicably and quickly. Regarding salary increases, Imbert said a new salary structure was recently approved by the Public Sector Negotiating Com-mittee. He said the SWRHA has been instructed to implement the new terms and conditions with immediate effect.

Yesterday, over 100 technicians, and dispatchers from the EHS Centre Mt Hope spent their shift stationed opposite the main entrance of the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex. Attempts by EHS General Manager Joanne Salazar to hold an meeting with protesting workers yesterday morning backfired and she was accused of trying to intimidate workers. The spokesman for the group Warren Wiltshire said on Monday, Salazar, along with the Operations Manager agreed to yesterday’s meeting  to discuss the workers complaints. He said Salazar approached the workers insisting on a meeting because she had to report to Imbert. However, she could not be reached for comment. Workers said the foreign used ambulances have been malfunctioning daily, putting their own lives and their patients at risk.    Workers said 30 new ambulances are required, but they will “settle” for 20. The fleet of 50 ambulances has whittled down to eight. Three provide service in the north from Chaguaramas to Chaguanas while five operate in south from Mayaro to Icacos. Although workers made recommendations, they are yet to get a response. There are 15 EHS bases located throughout the country but not all of them are equipped with ambulances.