KHMHA Workers Union says Hospital’s Management Engaging in Union Busting

And, while CEO Chandra Nisbet-Cansino is apologizing, the president of the KHMHA Workers Union Andrew Baird says that the hospital’s management is engaging in Union Busting. The Union began industrial actions yesterday morning with many members wearing their union shirts and short pants, which essentially violates the KHMHA dress code. According to Baird, following an emergency meeting, some members were given warnings. 

Andrew Baird, President, KHMHA Workers Union:  “Since yesterday there have been some changes in regards to the attitude or behavior of the CEO and her management team. I think yesterday when I did the interview yesterday we talked about the meeting that was held yesterday morning around 8:30 where it was understood from the management team that they will not move forward to anecdote or make any attempt to send home any persons. I believe yesterday on the news the CEO even admit that we had an agreement in that regard however five minutes after we left that meeting we found out from one of our members that she was anecdoted by one of the directors who was in that meeting and throughout the day some other members of staff and our union membership received anecdotes. It even went further that when we had our membership meeting yesterday several of the clerical staff was called out from that meeting and was anecdote for participating in that meeting and having on their union shirts. This can only be classified in our view as intimidation and union busting and should not in no way occur during a time when we’re supposed to be sitting at the table and trying to find common ground. We warned the CEO and the management team yesterday that if they continue to agitate the members and staff of Karl Heusner while we effect our plan of action then it will become more difficult for the executive to try to reason with our membership to see how we can continue dialogue. But certainly we have cited chapter 304 of the Laws of Belize that’s the employer and the union registration and recognition act and I think in section 4 of that act where it says under employees right, not union member right it says employees rights that the employees has the right to partake in union activities. So by intimidating and writing up these employees for participating in our plan of action surely violates their right. It is their constitutional right also to have freedom of association and if you’re trying to discourage them from associating with the union then you are violating their human rights.”

Baird says that patients who use the services of the KHMH should not worry because the union’s actions are not intended to disrupt services. 

Andrew Baird, President, KHMHA Workers Union: “We are not interrupting the services of Karl Heusner. We’re sending a clear message to them that we are tired of coming to work on a daily basis and do not have the necessary supplies and materials to do our work. There is a high attitude of job dissatisfaction, low morale within the institution and the management team seems not to want to understand that. We are taking this one day at a time and all this based on how the response from the management in reference to us trying to sit at the table and try to discuss and find amicable solutions to our issues. It is clear that we’re saying that we need to have our materials, they bring the materials and say oh we have some materials here hundreds of thousands of materials or supplies but after two weeks and that depleted where is the continuity ? We do not want to sit at the table for promises that would be only for a short period. We come to work every day, this is our livelihood. We want to know that we are certain to have continuity. And it’s beyond shortages. We want to ensure that job security for our security officers and doctors who are being placed on fixed term contracts for one year on an onward basis. These contracts are renewed but there are uncertainties for these employees.”