K.H.M.H. Employees Show Up to Work Dressed in Shorts and T-shirts
There’s contention again at Belize’s only referral hospital after a significant number of their employees wore short pants and union T-shirts today as a protest. Their gripe spans several months – they say they continue to work with acute shortages of supplies, equipment, and manpower. News Five’s Marion Ali gets all sides to this story about what’s happening at the K.H.M.H.
Marion Ali, Reporting
The K.H.M.H. staff, who are members of their Workers’ Union, showed up to work in shorts and their union shirts today. According to their President, Andrew Baird, their message is that they have been working with shortages in several areas.
Andrew Baird
Andrew Baird, President, K.H.M.H. Workers Union
“The shorts signifies the shortages of supplies, equipment and human resources eena Karl Heusner. Our membership after yesterday’s meeting believe that the plan of action should continue through today and there is a sense of demoralization from the membership and staff of Karl Heusner in reference to the working conditions and so forth within the institution and they believe a clear message needs to be sent. We need continuity in the supply chain and that we need to see continuity. You want us to curb our measures, then you need to ensure that we will not go back to the same place in the next two weeks.”
Baird said that their dress code was brought to their attention today but that the union stood its ground following Chapter Three, Zero, Four of the laws of Belize. C.E.O. Chandra Nisbet Cansino said the hospital would not take action against the protesters because of this decision. But, she indicated that both sides have been meeting and that the hospital has a contingency plan if the union decides to strike next week.
Chandra Nisbet Cansino
Chandra Nisbet Cansino, C.E.O, Heusner Heusner Memorial Hospital
“Shortages continue off and on. Certainly they have improved from where we were maybe about three months ago, six months ago and I think they addressed that with the Ministry of Health and Wellness as well yesterday and some commitments were made in that regard.”
Marion Ali
“C.E.O, have you gotten a chance to meet with the Ministry of Health and Wellness to solve this problem? It seems to be a recurring problem every few months we come back to the same situation where your staff and the union are threatening to go on strike because of the same thing – shortages.”
Chandra Nisbet-Cansino
“Yes, we actually had a meeting about a month ago with all the supplies units for the regions for Karl Heusner and for the Ministry. They have actually some people new in the Ministry and they’re addressing some of these issues. But yes, we are working along with the Ministry to try to address these issues.”
Dr. Alain Gonzalez, a member of the union. He works in the emergency room. He explained that they have not withheld their services while they are taking action.
Alain Gonzalez
Dr. Alain Gonzalez, General Practitioner, K.H.M.H.
“Even though they recognize that we are in our short pants and we’re dressed like this, we still continue to give our care. Our care will never stop. We give the best care that we can give, we continue to provide what we have.”
The union has indicated that its plan will continue on Thursday because they believe the K.H.M.H. administration is engaging in union busting. Marion Ali for News Five.
