Daily workers protest RHA treatment — ‘Gross insult!’

“It’s gross insult” was how Leon Marcano, shop steward with the National Union of Government and Federated Workers (NUGFW) described the five-cent increase in Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) offered by the Regional Health Authorities. While this “paltry” offer was made by the RHAs’, he claimed, the RHAs’ consultant is earning thousands of dollars monthly but only meeting with the union twice monthly. Five meetings have taken place since May. Wages have not yet been discussed. Marcano and other daily-paid workers at Sangre Grande Hospital staged a lunchtime protest yesterday at the parking lot of the Sangre Grande hospital because the RHAs are “playing games with workers.”  He said they will work-to-rule and continue wearing red ribbons pending the outcome of next Thursday’s meeting with the RHAs.

Marcano said workers would await directions from NUGFW President General Robert Giuseppi. He said NUGFW submitted proposals for new terms and conditions for workers 14 months ago and had to take the RHAs to the Industrial Court for negotiations to begin. Marcano criticised inferior proposals submitted by the RHAs. Marcano hoped “something substantial” would be offered at the next meeting.