REAL NEWS:
Employees at the Ministry of Works downed tools on Monday morning, July 10, to express concern over the welfare of a badly injured co-worker, Gregson Joseph – even as the Gaston Browne Administration was being accused of deception.
The workers, who were deployed to locations around the island, turned up to work, but declined to carry out any of their usual duties.
REAL News correspondent George Wehner says the action was taken after the workers held discussions with their bargaining agent, the Antigua Trades and Labour Union (AT&LU).
Joseph was burned in an explosion at the Bendals Quarry, although the details of the accident are still not clear.
But following the June 26 incident, the workers have been calling for protective gear that could be instrumental in saving their lives.
A source says that Ralph Potter, industrial relations officer at the AT&LU, has scheduled a meeting with the workers and other stakeholders for this Friday, July 14.
Meanwhile, the Government, through the Ministry of Works, has pledged to assist with Joseph’s medical expenses.
However, he is receiving treatment at the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre – even as critics argue that he requires specialized care that is available only in a burn unit.
The Cabinet has also expressed concern about Joseph’s condition.
It claims the hospital’s medical director has been in contact with Joseph’s family in the United States and Belize, with the last such interaction being as recent as July 5.
However, the man’s New York-based sister has contradicted that claim, saying the authorities have not spoken to her about her brother’s condition.
A source says that no attempts are being made to transport Joseph out of the country because hospital officials claim he is not stable enough to fly.
Reportedly, however, he is able to sit up.
And in similar news, Central Board of Health (CBH) workers took to the picket line, again, on Monday, July 10, protesting outside the Ministry of Health headquarters on upper Church Street – this time over unpaid backpay and overtime, among other issues.
The workers had staged a protest two weeks ago, on June 28, at the Health Centre location, for similar issues, and vowed to take their grievance to the headquarters.
They continue to say they are being treated unfairly by the government and as if they do not matter.
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If was a Minister or their family medi vac would have contacted long time.
If it was one of the politicians that was burnt you can bet they would be sent away for medical help in the best burn unit.
Just think about all the medical services we know about that our politicians and family have gotten paid for by our tax dollar. When it comes to us poor people they make us suffer and beg for help.
The government needs to step up and do the right thing for once.
Well former Minister Michael Browne was flown out on an Air ambulance for a heart burn……Less we forget COMPLIMENTS TAXPAYER’ S SACRIFICE.
@MEL: He had a gas attack with heart burn.He was flown to Turks and Caicos and then unto Miami.We the taxpayers of Antigua and Barbuda paid for that trip.What a darn shame.
I do hope and pray this man does not stay in that Hospital and linger.Like what happened to the late Andre Simon.He stay in the bed until he got bed sores.Then he was sent to the USA and subsequently passed away.I do hope that this does not befall this man.We need to treat all persons with respect.Regardless of their names,titles and or incomes.This man should be flown out for proper treatment like yesterday.After all he was injured on the job.Do they have Insurance on the job at that dangerous place. A Quarry owned and operated by the nGovernment of Antigua and Barbuda.
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