If you visited the KHMH between yesterday and today, you might have seen your attendants wearing short pants. That's because the KHMH Workers Union has launched industrial action, stemming from the issue of supply shortages and lack of job security for some of the staff.
Throughout the week, we've told you that the union has met with both the hospital's authority and the Ministry of Health to try and find an amicable way forward. When the union decided to go ahead with their peaceful protest, the KHMH's CEO expressed that she was disappointed, but accepted that unions must do what they believe is right.
However, today the president of the union explained to the media that he believes the upper management is participating in union busting. Here's what he said today:
Andrew Baird, President, KHMHWU
"Since yesterday, there has been some changes in regards to the attitude or behavior of the CEO and her management team. I think yesterday when I did the interview, we talked about the meeting that was held yesterday morning around 8:30 where it was understood from the management team that they would not move forward to anecdote or make any attempt to send home any persons. I believe yesterday on the news, the CEO even admit that we had an agreement in that regards. However, five minutes after we left that meeting, we found out by one of our members that she was anecdote by one of the directors who was in that meeting. And throughout the day, some other members of staff and our union membership received anecdotes. It even went further that when we had our membership meeting yesterday, several of the clerical staff was called out from that meeting and was anecdote for participating in that meeting and have on their union shirts. This can only be classified in our view as intimidation and union busting and should not in no way occur during a time when we're supposed to be sitting at the table and trying to find common ground. We warned the CEO and the management team yesterday that if they continue to agitate the members and stuff of Karl Heusner while we effect our plan of action, then it will become more difficult for the executives to try to reason with our membership to see how we can continue dialogue."
"As essential workers, we are not interrupting the services of Karl Heusner, we are just sending a clear message to the management… We're sending a clear message to them that we are tired of coming to work on a daily basis and do not have the necessary supplies and materials to do our work. There is a high attitude of job dissatisfaction, low morals within the institution, and the management team seems not to want to understand that."
"We are taking this one day at a time and all this is based on how the response from the management in reference to us trying to sit at the table and to discuss and to find amicable solutions to our issues."
Reporter:
"What can change between now and Monday that would discourage you from walking off?"
Andrew Baird, President, KHMHWU
"Well, the depends on management to figure it out."
Reporter:
"What are you asking for?"
Andrew Baird, President, KHMHWU
"It is clear that we're saying that we need to have our materials, they bring the materials and say oh we have some materials here, hundreds and thousands of materials and supplies, but after two weeks and that depleted, where is the continuity? We do not want to sit at the table for promises that will only be for a short period, we come to work everyday, this is our livelihood, we want to know that we are certain to have continuity with our thing."
And yesterday, the Minister of Health explained that in the meeting on Tuesday, it was agreed upon that the union would have six months to draft a CBA. However, today, Baird expressed that he doesn't believe there should be a time limit for the drafting process.
