By TAMARA McKENZIE

Guardian Staff Reporter

Registered nurses in The Bahamas can rest assured that the Bahamas Public Services Union (BPSU) "has the ear" of the Public Hospitals Authority (PHA) and a number of issues concerning nurses that remain working under the Ministry of Health, are presently being addressed with the PHA Chairman, Mr. Ishmael Lightbourne. This, according to President of the BPSU, Mr. John Pinder, during a press conference at its headquarters on Wulff Road, Monday.

Mr. Pinder said many nurses have expressed their displeasure with "untimely promotions, security at the hospital, risk insurance coverage and the lack of equipment to perform their duties." He said that even though some nurses have recently severed ties with the BPSU and have formed their own Union, they are making every attempt to assist nurses with these and other issues pertaining to salaries, in addition to having them remain in the country.

"We know there has been a drag to have a number of them re-employed in The United States in particular and we are trying our best to work with the Ministry of Health, for those who have remained under this Ministry and with the Public Hospitals Authority, to ensure that they are comfortable enough to remain working in The Bahamas," said the BPSU President.

Mr. Pinder also thanked Prime Minister Perry Christie for approving the salary anomalies in the December pay packages of Civil Servants and noted that he also looks forward to working with the government in the Union's concluding of its "five year package" which comes to an end in July.

This contract package, according to Mr. Pinder, was signed by the Union and The Bahamas government in 1999 and will be completed in July. This, he said, will attach an additional $1200 to the salaries of all 23,000 Civil Servants.

"The government has indicated that this will cost them some $24 million and we hope that the economy of the country continues to rebound and there are no world disasters," said Mr. Pinder.

Mr. Pinder also explained that some persons were concerned about not receiving salary anomalies, particularly, the Airport Authority, but stated that the Union is presently in consultation with the Authority's Chairman, Mr. Anthony Kikivarakis on this matter.

"I would like for them to know that we are concerned and will do everything to ensure that they be paid in short order," he said, explaining that when the five year contract for a salary increase of Public Servants was signed in 1999, the Airport Authority, nor the Hospital Authority was established.

"For some reason, the Hospital Authority was efficient enough to have met the deadline for their employees to receive anomalies, but it appears that the Chairman of the Airport Authority is still confused about who is suppose to be paid and what they are to receive," said Mr. Pinder.

Meanwhile, Mr. Pinder informed that BPSU contracts have been concluded between The Gaming Board and The Ministry of Tourism.

"I just want those members to be informed that very soon, they will be receiving what is due to them," said the BPSU President.