So as you saw before the meeting started, the union was charged up, but after almost four hours of what was described as a cordial meeting, KHMHWU are having second thoughts. That's because they and the hospital's CEO say that they felt they made progress during the meeting, and that they're willing to continue dialoguing. Our team was able to speak with CEO Chandra Cansino and President Baird just before the start of the newscast.
Reporter
"Can you tell us how the meeting went."
Andrew Baird, President, KHMHWU
"Very amicable meeting. At this time, we doesn't have much to say other than we made a commitment to have some more dialogue and to continue on from this meeting. So basically, that is what we have to say right now."
Reporter
"When will that next dialogue happen?"
Andrew Baird, President, KHMHWU
"It will continue within the KHMH between management and union before the week is completed."
Reporter
"There were plans to have industrial action the rest of this week. Will that continue?"
Andrew Baird, President, KHMHWU
"That's a matter for the union executive to make a decision within the next couple of hours along with its membership."
Reporter
"You are reporting back to them."
Andrew Baird, President, KHMHWU
"Definitely. We are mandated by the membership and so we must report back to our membership."
Reporter
"Can you speak about the tone of this meeting?"
Andrew Baird, President, KHMHWU
"Amicable."
Reporter
"Was progress made today?"
Andrew Baird, President, KHMHWU
"Certainly, we have made some progress, but like I said there is continued dialoguing that needs to take place to address some of the other concerns that we were not able to address today."
Reporter
"In other words, you are happy from this meeting that there is some forward direction in resolving some of the issues that the union has raised?"
Andrew Baird, President, KHMHWU
"Happy valentines."
Chandra Cansino, CEO, KHMH
"Yes, we are hopeful. It was a very amicable meeting as the president said and so we look forward to addressing these as the days and weeks continue."
Reporter
"CEO, there are differences in opinion from what we are observing. The union put out a release sighting shortages as it has done in the past. You said that's not true. Are there shortages?"
Chandra Cansino, CEO, KHMH
"Okay, so I think what happens is that we are going to improve communications. That is one area of communication that we need to improve which is where we dialogue before we go to the public and so that's an area that we are going to improve on, so that I am responding to something that I understand and they are responding to something that they understand."
"Certainly, we will improve communication in that area. I always urge the union to come to us and so that will continue going forward and then the second part of your question?"
Reporter
"Are there shortages?"
Chandra Cansino, CEO, KHMH
"There are 2 different things; there are shortages within the central medical supply system and then there are shortages supply management issues that we will address, so we are addressing all of that at this time. I don't want to speak too much, because we had a good meeting and we don't want to engage in any back and forth. We agree to engage in that together."
Reporter
"What happens though if the union decides that they will go forward with industrial action? There has to be a follow up meeting which indicates that there are still a lot of issues to be resolved or it may indicate that you are still miles apart on some issues."
Chandra Cansino, CEO, KHMH
"We got miles closer today and so we look forward to them going back to their membership and seeing what the results will be."
Reporter
"In relation to potential, a go-slow and even a walk-out, because we keep hearing from the KHMHA workers' union, they keep coming to the public saying certain things and it's not only them, there are members of the public who are calling in and saying that there are shortages and they are being told they have to purchase their own medication."
Chandra Cansino, CEO, KHMH
"Like I said we are working on all of those things together; the Karl Heusner Memorial Union and management of Karl Heusner."
Reporter
"How much longer do you expect that these discussions will continue?"
Chandra Cansino, CEO, KHMH
"I said in the next coming days and weeks. There are a of issues that have transcended time and so some of them can be resolved quickly and other need a little bit more time."
Reporter
"Can you talk to me about the participation of the ministry officials here today. I know that there are larger issues that require involvement of central government."
Chandra Cansino, CEO, KHMH
"Yes, those issues were also addressed and those also involve supplies, supplies quality and shortages and so the ministry did address those as well from their perspective."
Reporter
"So it wasn't a matter of benefits and so?"
Chandra Cansino, CEO, KHMH
"No. There was an agenda set and we followed the agenda."
Reporter
"What about in terms of the job security that Mr. Baird spoke about that a lot of the staff are on contracts and the security department was on contract and was supposed to be up in April and they were worried about job security."
Chandra Cansino, CEO, KHMH
"Yes, all of that was addressed and that will continue to be address and those just come with terms of the employment and so everything will be addressed sooner rather than later."
Reporter
"Is there an issue of low morale?"
Chandra Cansino, CEO, KHMH
"That was mentioned and those will be addressed as well. I really am not prepared to answer details of the questions. We agreed as a group that we will go forward in discussion before we speak in detail to the media."
We will keep following the developments of this story.
