Health workers at the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre took protest action Tuesday over long-standing grievances, including unpaid COVID-19 allowances and unresolved pension issues, according to the president of the People’s Union.
Ralph Potter made the remarks during an interview conducted on the hospital grounds by community activist George Wenner.
Potter said employees have been raising concerns with management for years — in some cases as long as 17 years — without resolution.
“Today a number of the employees took protest action,” Potter said, describing what he called a pattern of management failing to address workers’ complaints.
He said staff were also dissatisfied with representation from the Antigua Trades and Labour Union, which they voted for as their bargaining agent more than two years ago. According to Potter, workers approached the People’s Union seeking assistance because they felt their grievances were not being adequately pursued.
Following the protest, Potter said a delegation met with hospital management and received a commitment that the issues would be taken to the board of directors.
Among the concerns raised was the non-payment of a $1,000 monthly allowance that was reportedly promised to certain employees during the COVID-19 pandemic. Potter said some workers have yet to receive those payments.
He also highlighted uncertainty surrounding pension rights for employees who transferred from the former Holberton Hospital and other government departments when the medical centre opened in 2007. Potter said some of those workers had pension arrangements under existing government laws, but their status remains unclear.
“The employees here do not know where they stand with respect to a pension,” he said, noting that several are nearing retirement age.
Potter added that workers have also complained of victimization and preferential treatment within the institution.
Management has not yet publicly responded to the claims.
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Health Care Workers and ABS Workers. Who are going to be next.The system is breaking down.The system is falling apart at the seams.Come on STACHE,pay the damn people their money.You guys gave yourselves raises with back pay.Now take care of the little people.
R we want r we money. Tap use r we money fu pay full Alfa Nargo lawsuit and pay r we too.
What can go so in a Country claiming to be an Economic Powerhouse. So only those in the Heirahchy along with their families are enjoying the sweetness. St. Philip’s North we have the chance on the 16th to put all this right. Ebrybady must lib good
This is totally outrageous and unacceptable!
How can our health service workers be treated like this? And look how long. Why?
Some are still owed wages going back to the Covid-19 pandemic. Once again, outrageous!
I bet our very own Minister for Health [sic] Molwyn ‘AstraZeneca’ Joseph was paid his stipend on a regular basis – why didn’t he fight on behalf of these lifesaving specialists?
That’s the least Joseph coulda do for them.
Mind you, all is not lost. Because the only hope our caregivers mat have is with a by-election on the horizon, is that this ABLP government has a proven track record of locating funds from their money 💰 trees. 🌳
You only have to look into their pre-election records for evidence…
YAWN 🥱🥱🥱🥱🥱
Like clockwork….every election, there is conveniently protest action. We still supporting RANDY BALTIMORE and LABOUR 🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩
… is this RALLYING CALL #10?
It might well be considered by the constituents of St Phillip’s North…
Ok then, RALLYING CALL # 11 is on its way 😉