Nurses at two St Michael polyclinics reportedly staged a sick-out today.
Head of Unity Workers’ Union Caswell Franklyn and acting general secretary of the National Union of Public Workers Wayne Walrond reported that some nurses at the Winston Scott Polyclinic in Jemmotts Lane and the Eunice Gibson Polyclinic in Warrens did not report for work.
While Walrond said he was clueless as to the rationale behind the action, Franklyn said there were a number of issues the nurses were concerned about.
“A lot of people think this is about hazard allowance but it is not only about hazard allowance. Hazard allowance is the straw that broke the camel’s back. Nurses have been complaining about their conditions of service, the environment in which they work, lack of equipment, and now lack of personal protective equipment (PPE),” Franklyn said.
Meanwhile, Walrond said: “We are aware that the initial actions were taken out of frustration with the hazard pay issues, environmental issues and longstanding issue of appointments. Those things we can speak to but this particular action I can’t speak with any certainty or any ongoing action with nurses.”
Neither of the two union leaders could account for how many nurses stayed home.
Voice notes have also been circulating on social media platform WhatsApp calling for all nurses to join together and take a nurses’ “national pause” on Wednesday and Thursday.
On Monday, president of the Barbados Nurses Association (BNA) Joanna Waterman said the BNA was not associated with any industrial action taken by the nurses, adding that a strike action was “irresponsible”.
Last month, some nurses at Winston Scott Polyclinic, the Eunice Gibson Polyclinic and the Geriatric Hospital in Beckles Road, St Michael, downed tools over the lack of hazard pay in relation to COVID-19. (SB)
