00:00President of the association, Edie Stewart, says thousands of nurses under the regional health authorities are still being paid on 2013 salaries, despite discussions and assurances.
00:14He describes the delay as unacceptable and says every legal avenue has already been exhausted.
00:21Stewart is now issuing a deadline to the Minister of Finance to resolve the matter.
00:26I can tell you that it's not a good day and the association really has come to its wit's end and we are now calling on the Minister of Finance to immediately and definitely before Carnival Friday come out and tell all RHA workers when they would receive a salary increase.
00:53He says between 15 and 20,000 nurses are affected and remain in limbo.
01:01He notes that the union is seeking negotiations to start at 10 percent, citing the prolonged period workers have been waiting.
01:09Stewart adds that the association is being told talks cannot commence unless it represents the majority union,
01:17while at the same time, the Labour ministers failed to appoint a board to address the issue.
01:23The Honourable Leroy Batiste has failed to appoint a board to the Registration, Recognition and Signification Board.
01:32He has failed to appoint the directors, which is mandatory to give you that RMU status.
01:39So it almost appears to say, look, let's hold back that RMU status.
01:45So no union, no worker could mandate us negotiating with them and they would be dependent on the Minister of Health bringing this Cabinet to the Parliament.
01:57Stewart warns that growing unrest among RHA staff may lead to industrial action, which he says could have serious consequences for the nation.
02:07He is urging both the Ministers and the Prime Minister to intervene, warning that the plight of the workers should not be ignored.
02:17I expect the Honourable Prime Minister to step in, as she has done previously, and make very strong statements,
02:25which she doesn't back down from, and we appreciate her strength and we look forward for her strength in this matter.
02:33She too cannot expect to stay in silence when her three ministers are remaining silent.
02:40She must step in and state clearly what is the status quo, and we look forward to her intervention by at least making a statement between today and tomorrow,
02:53because again, we have given a deadline of Carnival Friday.
02:56He makes it clear the Association will not shy away from action, confirming plans for demonstrations in Port of Spain,
03:04as was done 11 years ago under similar circumstances.
03:08While the union, he says, will lead its own protests, he cautions that growing unrest among workers is evident on the ground
03:16and beyond the Association's control, warning that further action in the coming days remains a real possibility.
03:23Nicole M. Romany, TV6 News.
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