C.E.O. of Health says arbitration tribunal is next step

Talks broke down over amendments proposed to the M.O.U. In original form point number fourteen said that no punitive measures would be taken against members of the B.M.D.U. for participating in the discussions. That point was modified by the board to say “No punitive measures be taken against any member of the B.M.D.U. or any member of the Board or K.H.M.H. Authority”. And what’s next?

Dr. Ricardo Fabro, Chairman, K.H.M.H. Board
“You will notice that they are more than reasonable. We have complied with most of their demands at this point of the discussion we could possibly have complied with. Other things need due process, that’s why some were not complied to because due process is a legal issue that we have to look at.”

Gary Longsworth, C.E.O., K.H.M.H.
“We’re hoping that despite the fact that the arbitration has broken down, that the doctors and the rest of the Karl Heusner staff will keep that in mind and continue to provide the quality service that the patients deserve.”

Jose Sanchez
“Would a go slow go against your legal obligations as health care providers?”

Ivan Williams, Labour Commissioner
“Yes, a go slow would go against the provisions. Now when we say though that under the Essential Services Act, the settlement of disputes under the Essential Services Act, what could happen in this case and it is my responsibility under the law to advise the minister and to brief him on what transpired today.”

Dr. Peter Allen, C.E.O., Ministry of Health
“We are extremely disappointed at the apparent failure of the mediation process. We are now taking advice from the labour commissioner, who has been the mediator to this point. His advice is that the process now continues through an arbitration tribunal. This would be the most likely process. The Minister of Labour will be contacted by the Labour Commissioner and the Labour Commissioner will give appropriate advice and we expect that that arbitration tribunal will be the next step.”