Yesterday we told you about the confusion with the KHMH amendment. The Minister of Health was unaware that it had been pulled back and reconfigured. Today the prime minister gave his version of what originally went wrong with the KHMH union rep on the board, and why they were proposing to replace the rep with one from NTUCB.
John Briceno, Prime Minister
"Basically we appointed a member of the union in good faith, feeling that they can come in and contribute. Unfortunately, the member did not understand that you're not there are a union member, yes you come from the union and the union put you there but deliberations on a board, they are confidential. You just can't run to your union and say, ey this is what we're discussing. Because then it creates a lot of trauma within board members so board members were hesitant in speaking openly because the board member, thinking that he is doing his job in good faith, is going and creating all of these problems."
"The Minister felt with some consultation, not large consultation, but with NTUCB that wanting to keep a member from the unions, we figured if we could put a member from the NTUCB on the board, they do not have a direct, they're not directly involved in the day to day affairs of the hospital so they felt that they could take a more sober look at what's going on in the decision making."
"So when it came to Cabinet, we were a bit hesitant but he was persistent in making the case and so we agreed. Now that it was introduced, it is unfortunate that the union members from the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital did not come to the House Committee to register their support."
"In a meeting I had I think it was two Fridays ago with the NTUCB that was one of the issues that was brought up. There's a member representing the KHMHU and that member, well, apologized for what was going on. I said listen, I don't think we need to fight, all of us want what is best for the hospital. So I said what if you were to give us two names and we pick who best fit in the board. That member and the entire NTUCB said yes, I think that's a good compromise."
"But secondly the members from the NTUCB explained to Mr Roy Briceno, he's not my relative, but from Orange Walk Town, I know him very well. They explained that all of us, meaning NTUCB, we're on different boards. We're on BTL board, Social Security, that does not mean that as soon as Social Security meeting is finished I could go and report what's going on. I can only report after a decision was made, and he fully understood and I think all's well that end's well and I think that it has ended well with the union."
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