The Ministry of Finance is urging nursing personnel to protect patient care, even as rumours circulate about a "day of rest and reflection" over unresolved wage negotiations. It also reiterates that RHA workers are not automatically entitled to the new salary increases recently agreed to for public officers.
00:00The Ministry of Finance says it respects the right of nurses to protest, but warns that essential health services must not be disrupted.
00:09In a statement today, it clarified that regional health authorities operate under their own act, and RHA employees are not part of the core civil service.
00:19As a result, the recent salary settlement between the Chief Personal Officer and the Public Services Association cannot legally be applied to all RHA staff.
00:30Only Ministry of Health officers who remain the Public Officers at the time of transfer will receive the revised terms.
00:37The Ministry also pointed out that the National Nursing Association became the recognized union for certain Eastern Regional Health Authority nurses in January,
00:48meaning salary adjustments for these workers must be negotiated directly between each RHA and its recognized majority union.
00:57The government says it remains committed to good faith, responsible wage negotiations, but these must take place through the correct legal channels.
01:07Despite assuming office just seven months ago, the government says it has already begun settling long-standing wage rounds
01:14and is urging health care workers to continue providing essential care, while their unions activate the proper negotiation process.
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