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Why Are The Doctors Unions At Odds With The Government?

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – As union issues remain unresolved many are asking if there could be more industrial action on the horizon.

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – As union issues remain unresolved many are asking if there could be more industrial action on the horizon.

This morning, Prime Minister Philip Davis outlined why he thinks some issues continue to fester and what his administration is doing about it. 

Amid a standoff between doctors unions and the government, prime minister Philip Davis told reporters there are three major issues at the heart of the standoff.

The first issue is overtime pay, according to the prime minister at public hospitals authority executives, doctors have not been required to sign in and out of work.

Philip Davis – Prime Minister “how we can we justify paying overtime without verifying who worked and when? This is not just a technicality; it is about protecting the public investment in the healthcare system, and it is about accountability.”

In a press conference this morning, Davis told us his Government paid out $2.8m in outstanding holiday pay in 2023 to healthcare workers.

The second issue, according to the Prime Minister, involves Health Insurance. Davis telling us, the government offered three comprehensive options provided flexibility and choice… 

 Philip Davis – Prime Minister “These options are designed to address the worker’s needs, while ensuring that the system remains financially sustainable.”

Davis says he received an email from TUC President Obie Ferguson yesterday evening. He says he wishes to accept his offer to meet.

The third issues are the finalization of the agreement, he says the government is ready, but union reps have failed to attend scheduled meetings causing delays.

Philip Davis – Prime minister “this undermines the process and ultimately prolongs the challenges faced by both workers and the public. Let them be very clear, the government is not negotiating against healthcare workers.”

The consultant physician staff association tell a different story, the union has said they have tried multiple times to meet with the prime minister and other officials but feel they have been getting the runaround, prompting them to take part in the two rest days under the trade union congress.

We put the union’s concern to the Prime Minister today.

Philip Davis – Prime Minister “I have met with the unions, in fact, i have had an open-door policy with them.

They met with me and many times they have not met with me to talk through their issues, and they having heard it, I would refer them to the various ministries to complete the discussions.”

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