KHMH Union to GOB: ‘Wheel and Come Again’

Ongoing negotiations over pension concerns continue between the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital Authority Workers Union (KHMHAWU) and the Briceño administration.

A letter sent by the KHMHA Board Chairman on June 5 claimed GOB proposed to contribute 4% retroactively to the KHMHA Employee Provident Fund for 2001–2018, and that the Union countered with a demand for 7%.

The letter also stated that “the KHMHAWU will refer this matter to their membership and consider not taking any form of industrial action during that period.”

But KHMHAWU President Andrew Baird flatly rejected that narrative.

In a formal response letter, the union clarified no counterproposal was made. “The KHMHAWU did not table a counterproposal to GOB’s offer of 4% retroactive contributions,” Baird said in the letter. He explained that the 4% was cited only to demonstrate its inadequacy compared to severance payouts.

Baird added that the union remains firm on its demand for a pension scheme. “The Union’s formal position remains aligned with its longstanding mandate from membership: the establishment of a pension, not a Provident Fund,” Baird stated. “Any departure from this position must be explicitly mandated by membership through due process.”

Baird also responded to the Board Chairman’s statement suggesting that the Union would refrain from industrial action during the review period. In his letter, he clarified that such a commitment cannot be made without the union’s membership decision.

“With respect to the request for a period of no industrial action while the proposal is being reviewed, we must reiterate that such a decision rests solely with the Union’s membership,” Baird stated. “The leadership of KHMHAWU cannot unilaterally commit to a moratorium on industrial action without the express approval of the membership through the proper internal procedures.”

According to Baird, the letter does not reflect what was discussed in the meeting held Thursday.

A revised proposal is expected from the government by June 20. ” We await a proposal that is favorable to the affected KHMHA staff, who have borne the burden of this unresolved issue with significant implications for their long-term financial security,” Baird added.