Support of nurses’ campaign is shades of 2010-2015
By Ken Ali
A senior official of the Trinidad and Tobago National Nurses Association (TTNNA) has close ties to the opposition People’s National Movement (PNM).
Through that official, the PNM has infiltrated the current public nurses’ protest over remuneration and working conditions.
The PNM worming its way into the nurses’ row follows a recent meeting of top-level party office-holders, at which a decision was taken to become more aggressive on national affairs.
Since that session, party boss and parliamentary Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles-Robinson charged that the public healthcare system was on the brink.
Other PNM spokesmen have spoken on additional topical matters.
There are reported plans to improve the PNM’s social media presence.
The party’s involvement in public protests is a throwback to 2010-2015, when there were street marches to attempt to create discontent and destabilise the administration of Kamla Persad-Bissessar.
Then-PNM leader and Opposition Leader Dr. Keith Rowley led rallies against Section 34 of the Administration of Justice (Indictable Proceedings) Act in 2015.
Public demonstrations led to Woodford Square, Port of Spain.
In stoking the protest, Rowley said: “If Trinidad and Tobago ever needed you, it is now.”
He theatrically branded the legislation as “a betrayal… indecent” and “an outrage.”
Prior to those protests, the PNM instigated wildcat strikes and marches over allegations of plans to retrench utility workers and teachers’ pay dispute.
The party also collaborated with the group Fixin’ T&T, trade unions and other activist organisations in demonstrations and public addresses over social and economic issues.
In Parliament, Rowley infamously read fake emails – later dubbed “Emailgate” – is another bid to stir dissatisfaction and mobilise the electorate.
The party leader framed the campaign within his crusade to unseat PM Persad-Bissessar.
The PNM enjoyed widespread and sympathetic media coverage.
The current TTNNA protests are the earliest staged by nurses against a new government.
The campaign follows disclosures over hefty overtime payments to some nurses and of waste and contract-fixing during the PNM’s tenure in government.
Dr. Tim Gopeesingh, chair of North-Central Regional Health Authority, has exposed extensive financial wrongdoing.
A major current source of contention is that nurses’ salaries date back to 2013.
But there were no public campaigns during the intervening years of PNM rule.
Public nursing in T&T is considered an essential service, according to law.
Nurses’ protests must comply with relevant regulations.
If the PNM continues with its protest playbook, the opposition party is likely to seek to exploit social unease.
But the administration of Ms. Persad-Bissessar has delivered on wage promises to public officers and daily-paid workers, and is resolving outstanding issues with teachers.
Colm Imbert, Member of Parliament for Diego Martin North-East, complained of water woes in his constituency.
But it is generally felt that the distribution of the precious commodity was more equitable in the current dry season that in previous years.
Ms. Beckles-Robinson’s leadership of the PNM has been tottering, with several colleagues claiming she does not have the mettle to lead the party into government.
Rowley supports Stuart Young wresting control of the party.
The PNM has been facing citizen uproar over the cost of construction of its Balisier House headquarters.
The daily press has not taken up the issue, nor has it held Rowley to account for a vulgar remark about Ms. Persad-Bissessar.
