RHA amendment a misconception in law

THE EDITOR: Surely, it is a glaring misconception to legislate that the RHAs must recognise the PSA, or any other union, as the representative of their workers. If this legislation was approved by the new AG, it says little for Mr Jeremie. Only the workers can choose their representatives. It reminds me of the former TT Teachers’ Union under Mr St Elmo Gopaul in the ’60s, whose “in law” was recognised by the government. The majority of teachers then wanted to be recognised by another union, much to the chagrin of the government since St Elmo and his wife Monica were PNM diehards.

After much agitation by teachers, including a march around the Red House in which I participated, government was forced to back down and negotiate with COMFORT, and later to recognise TTUTA as the bargaining body for teachers. History it seems is about to be repeated. MPATT has applied for recognition and time will tell whether it has the majority of doctors, unless of course the Cubans have a large enough contingent and can tip the scales. Legislation has no place in Trade Union recognition. This attempt to entrench the PSA will likely cause further disruption by protesting doctors.

On the other hand, I believe that Dr Furlonge’s position as founder and president of MPATT was sufficient reason for the Ministry not to appoint him as Head of the Medical Services (the exact title escapes me at the moment). How can he represent the Ministry and execute its policies, while at the same time, claiming to represent the doctors? Stepping aside and giving his chair to Dr Roop is just cosmetic surgery!

MICHAEL   J   WILLIAMS
Maracas Valley