The Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) is maintaining that the current industrial action at the Linden Hospital Complex (LHC) will continue until Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Rudolph Small is removed from the post.
Additionally the union has consulted with their attorneys with a view to engaging a court of law for redress as it relates to the slanderous remarks he made about nurses.
“We will not subject our members to the humiliation to go and work under that vulgar improper person… This culprit must face consequences for his loose, irresponsible, unethical, unprofessional, and vulgar conduct,” GPSU President Patrick Yarde told a press conference yesterday.
Small has been the subject of protest action since it was reported in February that he suggested that nurses absent themselves to engage in extra-marital affairs during work hours.
A letter dated March 1 removed Small from the post of CEO but one day later the Ministry of Health rescinded its decision and reinstated him with the caution that he should conduct himself properly and take actions to “mend the tensions in relationships that presently exist”.
“We expect that your conduct in the future will be consistent with the ideals and mission of the Linden Hospital Complex and that you are faithful; to the ideals and the mission of the LHC as you carry out your duties and responsibilities,” Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Malcolm Watkins stated in the letter.
According to Yarde this second letter was obviously the product of political interference. He reminded that a letter from the union to Health Minister Frank Anthony remains unacknowledged adding that attempts to reach the Minister via phone have also proved unsuccessful.
Yarde further argued that for government to support Small suggests that the administration endorses his comments which labelled LHC nurses as loose and immoral.
Consequently the aggrieved workers along with colleagues from other regions picketed the Ministry of Health yesterday “as a manifestation of their hurt, anger and the vilification of their integrity, conscientious and total efforts in the public service, front line workers and providers of quality health care.”
First Vice President Dawn Gardner explained that it is particularly egregious that this issue continues during a time when the health care workers are under severe pressure to continue to deliver quality health care in a pandemic environment, without adequate compensation and recognition for their diligent efforts.
“These frontline workers have made a significant impact on the spread of the COVID-19 contagion in Guyana, while thousands continue to die throughout the world. However, all the CEO could offer to his workers in this crisis situation is belittlement of the nurses, women’s character assassination, a degrading statement. Given the nature, content and implications of what was said, all should be disturbed,” she stressed adding that just before Small’s appointment the union had been contacted about the stellar work being done at LHC.
“We were never contacted about any complaints [of nurses abandoning their posts]” she stressed in response to questions. Both Gardner and Yarde stressed that while the level of service at LHC remains consistent the workers refuse to allow Small entrance into the compound.
“The protest actions taken by the nurses are restricted to blocking the CEO from entering their work environment,” the Union explained.
It has according to Yarde so far been successful while nurses have organized themselves to discharge all their duties in a responsible and professional manner.
“This responsible approach is being taken to ensure that the hospital’s services to patients and to the community are not disrupted,” the Union indicated.
Asked to respond to a contention from Watkins that the protest action is illegal, Yarde disagreed.
Last week, the PS called on the union and nurses to call off the action contending that the Ministry would not negotiate under duress.
“We will not negotiate under duress. We remain in contact with the Union and with the Ministry of Labour and we are ready at any time to resume the discussions we started on March 4th at the Ministry of Labour”, Watkins said.
According to Yarde this contention is untenable.
“The double standard is worrying. They want our members to work under duress but they are saying they will not negotiate under duress,” he said adding that the union does not trust the Ministry of Labour to mediate.
“The Minister of Labour is a member of Cabinet. We do not have confidence in the Ministry of Labour to deal with the public service. We have expressed this repeatedly,” he said adding that the union would be sure to give the Ministry adequate notice if or when they “have to withdraw all our members.”
