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‘Don’t blame us - Dr Sands at fault’

Health Minister Dr Duane Sands.

Health Minister Dr Duane Sands.

By KHRISNA RUSSELL

Deputy Chief Reporter

krussell@tribunemedia.net

THE Bahamas Doctors Union has blamed Health Minister Dr Duane Sands for the inconvenience and frustration experienced by citizens who have been affected by industrial action since last week.

And as BDU slammed the leak of a list of demands sent to Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis last week, it insisted these were non-monetary alternatives for government to pay doctors outstanding holiday pay.

The union said it viewed the options as “innovative” and a possible means for negotiating with other unions who are owed money.

However BDU noted that while the government has acknowledged that junior doctors are owed for working on public holidays, it has been unable to sign an agreement with the minister “because he insists that he is entitled to make deductions from those funds.”

And despite Dr Sands’ assertion that government has agreed for about $4m in outstanding holiday pay to be doled out in two instalments this year, BDU said no agreement has been made moving forward.

“In our efforts toward conciliation, the BDU has conceded six years of holiday pay – the holiday period in question extends back to 2010, (utilising the PHA calculations) this accounts for monies owed in excess of $10m,” BDU said in a statement yesterday.

“BDU realised the financial burden this posed on the public purse and made numerous concessions: during negotiations this money payout was reduced to less than half; BDU waived all interest to the monies owed; BDU gave the government options for non-monetary alternatives for payment which included construction of a parking garage, improved insurance or one-time tax waivers.

“We viewed these non-monetary concessions as innovative and certainly a possible means for negotiating with other unions who are owed monies. The release of BDU’s options for non-monetary compensation by PHA and Department of Public Health without providing the context is a lack of good faith.”

The Tribune obtained a copy of the union’s demands and published them on Monday. 

The BDU statement continued: “The government has acknowledged that the junior doctors are owed for working on public holidays for the past 10 years and made provisions for the funds to be paid. However, the BDU has not been able to sign an agreement with the Minister of Health Dr Duane Sands because he insists that he is entitled to make deductions from those funds. The BDU has been advised by our legal advisor, that it would be foolish to agree to such a deduction as this would be contrary to what is constitutionally allowed. In addition, current government provisions will not bring what is owed current, and no agreement has been made as to how holiday pay will be addressed in the future.

“The BDU has expressed to Dr Sands on numerous occasions that the members of the BDU are ready to get back to work but can only do so when there is a legal binding and fair document to sign, there is a time line to resolve the other outstanding issues, and all of the monies agreed to by the prime minister is paid to the junior doctors. The inconvenience and frustration that the public is experiencing at this unfortunate time lies squarely at the feet of the minister of health.”

The union maintained yesterday that it is continuing to exercise its legal right to utilise industrial action against PHA and the DPH, adding that it has take a decade of failed negotiations to reach to this point.

BDU said it knew the full impact of industrial action on the public, but sought to demonstrate restraint and held off for eight months while attempting to conclude this matter amicably.

The statement was released about one hour before Labour Minister Dion Foulkes announced that the dispute was referred to the Industrial Tribunal, noting union’s strike action has “threatened the public interest”.

According to Section 76 of the Industrial Relations Act, once this happens it is the “duty of any person participating in the strike or lock-out to discontinue the same forthwith” until the panel makes a ruling.

Comments

Well_mudda_take_sic 5 years, 3 months ago

Like the BPL debacle, the blame for our failed public healthcare system rightfully lies at the feet of Hubert Minnis who as doctor, and former Minister of Health, has always been acutely aware of all the major issues healthcare providers and healthcare facilities have been experiencing for decades. Minnis is the very definition of an incompetent PM and failed leader.....that will be his shameful legacy as sure as night follows day.

joeblow 5 years, 3 months ago

... MInnis and Sands are both bumbling idiots when it comes to healthcare issues for the public good, but they are quite astute at taking care of their personal business!

Dawes 5 years, 3 months ago

To blame Minnis for this whilst saying the issues have been going on for decades is part of the problem. We all expect these items that have been ongoing for so long to be sorted in a couple of days. Minnis hasn't done well in sorting these out but the blame lies with all including pretty much everyone who has voted as PLP didn't do anything to help last time, nor FNM the time before. And watch we the people will vote PLP back in 2022 and then a year or so later say wait till 2027 when we kicking them out and voting FNM in.

TigerB 5 years, 3 months ago

In reading up on this it seems this was going on for about 10 years.. seems all of the administrations are to be blamed. It just happen to come to head under the current administration, just like BPL

Well_mudda_take_sic 5 years, 3 months ago

The spread the blame game is what all useless and corrupt politicians try to do. But Hubert Minnis has taken that game to new heights......he's content to just sit back and blame all of his personal shortcomings and failings as PM on others......as if he believes he need not bear any responsibility whatsoever for being who and what he is.

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