Trinidad and Tobago Registered Nurses Association (TTRNA) met with officials of the NWRHA including CEO - Sheldon Cyrus, IR officer - Derrick Cyrus, GM Nursing – Mrs. Cecelia Hutson and HR Manager – Stacy Ann Sylvester. TTRNA was represented by President - Idi Stuart, Secretary – Corey Dillon, Letitia Cox – Northern Branch Chairperson, Kayshnee Seepersad – Northern Branch Secretary, and Sherman Brathwaite – Northern Branch Treasurer,
This is the first of a series of meetings planned with all RHA’s for this year, in an attempt to resolve as many prevailing issues that may otherwise result in cases going to the Ministry of Labour or Industrial Court.
Issues and outcomes discussed at the meeting included the following:
1. Delay in payment of increments
The issue of delay in increment payments has plagued the nursing fraternity for several years. St James Medical Complex (SJMC) is of particular concern, since more than 95% of employees are working at the incorrect salaries. While problems straddles many institutions, TTRNA strongly expressed our dissatisfaction with the apparent abandonment of treating with increments at SJMC. This Non-Payment of increments over the years, which often accumulates to substantial amounts, has proven to be a serious demotivating factor for nurses.
General Manager, Human Resources acknowledged that the SJMC is a major issue, primarily due to manpower constraints, but is currently addressing this issue by means of training.
TTRNA pressed that all efforts be made to have the critical issue at SJMC be dealt with first, before any other institution under the RHA.
Resolution achieved.
TTRNA is due to contact NWRHA in the week of 16th to 20th January 2017, to a confirm date when this issue will be resolved.
2. Inadequate Ambulance Service
TTRNA spoke at length about the non-compliance of the NWRHA, in providing proper transportation vehicles for staff to accompany patients during inter-facility transfers. TTRNA also informed them that this will be made known to the Minister of Health at our scheduled February Meeting.
TTRNA will be educating nursing personnel of these glaring shortfalls in the coming weeks via branch meetings, so the individual can make an informed decision as to their safety in travelling on these VANS.
No resolution.
3. Status of Staff Pension
TTRNA highlighted the undue long delay in processing staff pensions after they retire. This process can be upwards of 2 to 3 years. This is a most untenable situation, especially since persons will be relying on this as their major source of income upon retirement.
Additionally, TTRNA requested further information that our membership have been enquiring about, concerning the details of the pension fund. GM Human Resource indicated that there is a nurse on the panel of the pension fund and also greater access to details of the fund will be made available to TTRNA.
Resolution achieved.
TTRNA is due to contact NWRHA in the week of 16th to 20th January 2017, to acquire a confirm date when this issue will be resolved.
4. Unauthorized salary deductions
TTRNA wrote to the employer on numerous occasions in 2015-2016, informing the employer about the illegality in deducting monies from persons salary, without 1st notifying the employee and asking them to respond to the validity of the claim and also negotiating the repayment period if required.
TTRNA is pleased to inform members, that the NWRHA has since rectified their procedure since and have no further deductions will be taken out of individual’s salary in 2017 and onwards with all going through the requisite procedure. Notification must be issued 1 month prior, letter from payroll/HR will be sent to nursing administrator to inform person of need to come into the RHA to resolve issue.
Resolution achieved.
Unauthorized salary deductions have ceased.
5. Absence of safe staff levels
Definitely the most difficult issue treated with at this meeting, requires ongoing discussion which took the largest amount of time. NWRHA acknowledged problem.
TTRNA discussed that the absence of safe staffing is not only limited to the RN’s on the general ward but it is also extensive in the specialty areas of the hospital. Currently the NWRHA has junior nurses, first day out of nursing schools, working in areas that they have not been trained for or posses the experience to handle adverse events.
TTRNA also frowns on the reported 7% cut back of ‘pool staff’ which is normally used to supplement worker shortages, being used to lower operating cost. This is a shortsighted measure, and can only lead to further problems and poor quality service being provided by the institution.
No resolution.
Additional issues discussed at the meeting included :
I. Failure to fill Nursing Supervisory positions.
II. Shortage of Water at various NWRHA institutions
III. Staff safety in the workplace
IV. Continuing Education of nursing personnel
This meeting proved fruitful and has set a new and favorable tone between the employer (NWRHA) and the Union (TTRNA) as we move forward in improving Trinidad and Tobago healthcare. TTRNA is next set to meet with SWRHA senior management on Friday 13/01/2017, as we continue to lobby for our members and the wider nursing profession.
