Bahamas Nurses Union: It’s a Matter of Disrespect, the Nurses Don’t Trust You

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Outpatient services at the Princess Margaret Hospital closed once again following day two of nurses calling out sick, beginning Wednesday night.

Critical areas like the eye clinic, specialty clinic, medical clinic, surgical clinic, and ENT clinic all shutdown until further notice, according to a Public Hospitals Authority statement.

The action is tied to frustration over unpaid overtime, outstanding holiday pay, and delayed promotions.

At a press conference Friday morning, Bahamas Nurses Union President, Muriel Lightbourn, says they’re at a breaking point.

Muriel Lightbourn – President, Bahamas Nurses Union

“It appears to the nurses that PHA and the government is just turning them around, they are feeling that it is a matter of disrespect. And quite frankly as the president I feel its a matter of disrespect, because if I’m saying to you this is what is needed and you are agreeing to these things while we are at the table, and then two and three years later nothing is done.”

Lightbourn says they’ve met with Prime Minister Philip Davis, and Health Minister Dr. Michael Darville repeatedly, but still no solution.

However, it goes beyond that, she says nurses in the Public Hospitals Authority (PHA) and over 100 members of the Bahamas Allied Healthcare Workers Union (BAHWU) are also affected.

BAHWU President Krista Burrows says they’re also being neglected.

Krista Burrows – President, Bahamas Allied Healthcare Workers Union

“They depend on overtime because we relax stuff…[PMH’s lab] is an accredited lab, so you have to have certification in order to work in there.”

On Thursday the PHA released a statement, saying that financing for outstanding overtime payments has now been approved, and disbursements are being processed.

Muriel Lightbourn – President, Bahamas Nurses Union

“The problem is they don’t trust you”

“We are concerned about those persons who are laying in those hospital beds today. We are concerned about those persons who have to go to the ER today. We are concerned about that, and so we are asking them to join with us and ask the government to fix it.”