News
Nurses back on the job
Donna Hussey-Whyte
Saturday, September 04, 2010
NURSES who were off the job for three days began returning to work yesterday, ending a sick-out which adversely affected operations at some public hospitals.
Edith Allwood-Anderson, president of the Nurses Association of Jamaica (NAJ), agreed to end the industrial action following talks with Labour Minister Pearnel Charles. A follow-up meeting is scheduled between the parties at 10 o'clock this morning at the labour ministry's North Street offices in downtown Kingston.
"The minister welcomes this decision by the NAJ as being in the nation's best interest, given the vital role that nurses play in nation-building," the Ministry of Labour said in a press release yesterday.
For several months, public sector nurses have been involved in an ugly dispute with the Government over the failure of the administration to implement a job reclassification, which would see some nurses receiving substantial increases.
The nurses often resorted to industrial action following failed or aborted talks with Government officials over the issue.
This week's sick-out by the disgruntled nurses forced public hospitals to postpone elective surgeries and deal only with emergency cases.
At a press conference yesterday morning, Health Minister Rudyard Spencer said non-critical patients were discharged from healthcare facilities as the action of the nurses put a strain on public hospitals.
"As soon as persons are willing to sit at the table, then the matters [wage dispute with nurses] can be dealt with," Spencer told a press conference at his ministry's downtown Kingston offices, hours before the nurses agreed to return to work.
"Based on the patterns of absences our ability to carry out normal activities at some facilities has been compromised," the health minister said.
 
|
POST A COMMENT
You must first register and then login to be able to post a comment.
HOUSE RULES
1. We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day. Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper – email addresses will not be published.
2. Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted. We will, however, try to publish comments that are representative of all received.
3. We ask that comments are civil and free of libellous or hateful material. Also please stick to the topic under discussion.
4. Please do not write in block capitals since this makes your comment hard to read.
5. Please don't use the comments to advertise. However, our advertising department can be more than accommodating if emailed: advertising@jamaicaobserver.com.
6. If readers wish to report offensive comments, suggest a correction or share a story then please email: community@jamaicaobserver.com.
7. Lastly, read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy, and before commenting you need to register, conveniently, by clicking the link above.
Other Stories
Daren Powell: KD Knight inspired me
2 comments
Portland PC still pondering Pellew Island project
0 comments
Costly dump fire - But tab lower than expected, says ODPEM
0 comments
Help us find her - Family of missing nurse asks gov't to intervene
0 comments
0 comments
Another scientific achievement for Dr Lowe
0 comments
0 comments
Taxi driver with 54 traffic breaches stripped of licence
0 comments
0 comments
Farewell Dudley Thompson — champion of the Race
0 comments
0 comments
Girl detained for allegedly poisoning family
0 comments
Police threat level at extreme
0 comments
0 comments
This Day in History - February 13
0 comments
Buildings set ablaze in Greece before debt vote
0 comments
Arab League wants UN peacekeepers in Syria
0 comments
Dark day for Shining Path rebels
0 comments
0 comments
A different kind of love story
4 comments
RSS Feeds
