Nurses union wants answer today

By ALISON ANIS
PAPUA New Guinea Nurses Association executives expect the government’s response by today to address their outstanding log of claims.
The nurses’ executives said they had been communicating with secretaries for the departments of Health and Personnel Management (DPM) to respond effectively to their request.
Association general secretary Jack Suau said yesterday they expected the department to “come good by today”.
That, he said, would allow executive members and regional representatives to go back and update members in the region on the outcome of dialogue with government.
Nurses’ regional representatives have been in Port Moresby for more than five weeks trying to negotiate with the government to avert any strike.
“We will negotiate calmly with the government on this so that our claims can become a reality for many of our members,” he said.
“I know some of our members are frustrated but I appeal for calm at this time and ask for their patience while we negotiate,” Suau said.
Association president Eimi Kaptigau said if no deal was ready today, they would continue to push until the department responded positively.
“We will wait for the DPM to respond to our request for a draft agreement today.
“We were informed by the department that they were unable to do so last week because the supporting letter from the Health Department was sent in late,” Kaptigau said.