By KHASHAN POITIER

Guardian Staff Reporter

A three-year-old "fight" to be recognized by the Ministry of Labour may finally come to an end on Jan. 15 when registered public and private nurses will vote for the Bahamas Nurses Union to represent their interests.

In an interview with The Guardian on Monday, Minister of Labour and Immigration Vincent Peet said that next week nurses from around The Bahamas will determine whether they would want the present Nurses Union to operate as a bargaining agent for them.

"Once the poll is taken, and the Ministry of Labour can verify that sufficient number of nurses voted in favour of the group to act as an agent for them, it would be recommended by the Ministry of Labour for the association to be recognized," said Minister Peet, adding that once this happens, the Nurses Union would be allowed to freely make decisions for themselves, without any pressures.

The union, over the past 16 months, has found itself in several pressing situations. In August 2001, the Bahamas Nurses Union and the Bahamas Public Service Union were involved in a "tug of war" as to which body would become the bargaining agent for the medical professionals.

The friction between the two unions resulted in several "sick-outs" at hospitals and clinics, leaving the establishments crippled and unable to provide adequate health care to their patients.

The BNU was issued a salary deduction code by the Public Treasury in 1999, which was later revoked by the government, as the BPSU was recognized as the sole government-recognized voice for nurses in The Bahamas.

At that time, then-president of the BPSU, William McDonald said that because BNU also represents nurses within the private sector it made it even more difficult for the government to bargain with them.

But now, the PLP Government will "attempt to basically give the association the key that it doesn't have up to this point, and allow the nurses to decide for themselves who they want to represent them," said Minister Peet.

He said: "Being represented by the Ministry provides a number of benefits. This group will be putting a case for other nurses for several things, but most importantly for better conditions."

In addition to better working conditions, Bahamas Nurses Union President Cleola Hamilton said nurses would also be aiming to restore "the dignity of nurses," as well as find ways to attract more persons to the profession.

With 700 nurses involved with BNU, the union expects to receive full support of nurses both within the private and public sector, said Ms. Hamilton.

"Right now, we're trying to get insurance for some of our nurses. We see this voting as us being empowered to help ourselves in areas, such as getting insurance and providing a nursery for our children. That's our priority right now. A lot of our nurses do not have insurance. We also see the voting as a positive step by the government in restoring our dignity," she said.

Ms. Hamilton assured that nurses within the union are dedicated to the country and willing to submit themselves to the proper authority.