MPATTonline

29/11/2014

PRESS RELEASE
RE: SECURITY CONCERNS AT HEALTH CARE INSTITUTIONS

MPATT is greatly saddened to be informed of the unfortunate incident which recently took place at San Fernando General Hospital where one of our female colleagues was accosted by man who attempted to rob and mo**st her while forcing her to drive out of the hospital compound. MPATT offers its sympathy to our colleague who had to endure a very harrowing ordeal. MPATT acknowledges the bravery of our colleague who had the presence of mind to pull into a parked Regiment vehicle, so that an alarm would be raised and assistance would be rendered.
MPATT has spoken many times about the poor security which is provided for the many health
workers employed by the Regional Health Authorities. Many of the RHA employees work evening and late night shifts and are therefore extremely vulnerable when arriving or leaving the institution compounds. Our female colleagues are particularly at risk and more stringent security protocols must be adopted to ensure their safety.
MPATT urgently met with the SWRHA Executive to ensure that the needs of the affected employee were addressed and we expect that the SWRHA will be doing all that is necessary to
facilitate her during this difficult time. SWRHA also assured MPATT that security presence will be increased to protect personnel during late hours and that the security service is available via phone to all medical personnel on a 24/7 basis. MPATT would like to see that these measures be adopted as a permanent arrangement and not just a knee-jerk reaction to this most recent unfortunate event.
MPATT will convene a meeting to get feedback from its Membership on their security concerns at the workplace and what its membership would like to see implemented going forward. Subsequent to this meeting, MPATT’s views will be submitted in writing to the relevant authorities.

Signed
MPATT Executive
28/11/14

15/11/2014

OUTCOME OF MPATT SPECIAL MEETING AT SAN FERNANDO GENERAL HOSPITAL ON 11/11/14

MPATT held an emergency special meeting at the San Fernando General Hospital on 11th November 2014. The meeting was convened to discuss a counter proposal offer from the SWRHA, in respect of ongoing salary negotiations between the SWRHA and MPATT for the period 2009-201. This counter proposal offer was in effect, correspondence from the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health to the Chairman of the SWRHA, advising that approval was given for a package of benefits to be used as the basis of negotiations between the SWRHA and MPATT.
MPATT reiterates to its membership that this counter proposal is not a final document but is to be used as a basis for negotiations between SWRHA and MPATT. As MPATT’s position should reflect the views of its membership this special meeting was held to solicit same. MPATT has noted many recent calls by members of the medical fraternity for updates and discussions on salary negotiations however MPATT only received a counter proposal during the middle of this year. That proposal was grossly inadequate and was immediately dispatched by MPATT as not fit for discussion with the membership. MPATT asked for a serious counter-proposal to be made, which was dated 4th November 2014 and received on the 10th November, 2014.
A summary of the discussions with the membership at this special meeting on 11/11/14 is as follows:
• The counter-proposal package from the SWRHA for the period January 1, 2009 to October 31, 2010 and November 1, 2010 to October, 2013 for medical professionals was unanimously REJECTED.
• The position that allowances should be consolidated into a flat salary was unanimously ACCEPTED
• The membership unanimously agreed that salary increases should be implemented from 1st January 2015 and that all backpay should be paid by 31st January 2015.
• The membership unanimously ACCEPTED that the motor-vehicle tax and Value-added Tax exemptions should be reinstated
• The membership ACCEPTED the bargaining position of MPATT that Continuing Medical Education (CME) allowance be consolidated to $30,000 per year, with the option to accumulate over a two-year period. The membership REJECTED the position that applications by doctors for CME allowance need to be justified.
• The membership unanimously ACCEPTED that the Communication allowance be reinstated and increased to $600.00

• MPATT Executive suggested an option of 4% increase per year from 2011-2013 and then 5% per year for 2014-2015 with 20% increase on allowances, which would be an approximate increase of 23%.
o The membership unanimously ACCEPTED that negotiations should extend and apply to the 2015 period.
o The membership REJECTED the proposed percentage increases for the relevant period. The membership was asked to suggest alternative bargaining positions. A number of suggested options were put forward by members present, which seemed arbitrarily determined, yet were similar to the numbers that MPATT has proposed in its initial Salary Proposals to SWRHA.
For clarity, MPATT’s initial proposal to SWRHA was presented to its membership in 2010 at the SFGH and was developed after conducting significant research of compensation to medical doctors from four (4) former commonwealth jurisdictions. Also, comparisons were drawn using the most recent Salaries Review Commission (SRC) recommendations, especially since several positions that were under the purview of the SRC were formerly at the same pay-grade as medical doctors in the old public-service classification. MPATT also had expert input from prominent persons in the field of Economics and Industrial Relations, who advised on the content of salary proposals for doctors.
MPATT also explained that historically, basic salary could not be increased beyond the level of the Permanent Secretaries as they were the most senior public servants. The founding members of MPATT had fought hard for allowances to be included, which would serve to augment the total package for doctors while leaving the basic salary below that of senior public servants.
Immediately after meeting with its membership, the Executive of MPATT met with the Joint Negotiating Team where the concerns of the membership were put forward to the JNT. MPATT was advised to put these concerns and suggestions in writing however the JNT could not give a definite timeframe for a revised counter proposal as there were quite a number of suggested changes. MPATT awaits an urgent response from JNT.
MPATT would like to urge members of the medical profession to become members of the union as this can only serve to strengthen the membership and by extension, the bargaining power of the union. MPATT acknowledges many important points were made by doctors at this most recent meeting however unfortunately many attendees were not MPATT members and we cannot represent non-members. MPATT has been working to represent the interests of individual doctors in many matters across all RHAs and those doctors who are members of MPATT and have been represented by the union in their respective industrial relations matters, can attest to the importance of having an MPATT representative there with the institutional memory and knowledge of good industrial relations practices.

MPATT takes note that some individual doctors have perused the most recent counter proposal and have their own suggestions which have found its way to the media. While these suggestions may coincide with the views of the membership of MPATT, understand that in the case of SWRHA, the employer is legally required to negotiate with MPATT through a process of bargaining to achieve a mutually beneficial outcome which MPATT has been engaged in for the last five years since receiving RMU status. The precedent that is set by MPATT will set the tone for all other RHAs where MPATT does not have RMU status. If you sign new arrangements prematurely, and MPATT successfully negotiates an improved contract, your existing contract will be binding. This is not a time for forming sub-groups and splinter-groups and seeking to destabilize your union; MPATT is only as strong as its membership and the battle for improved terms and conditions of employment must be fought in the bargaining room across the table from the employer, as it has been done in the past.
Please be guided accordingly.
MPATT Executive.
14/11/14

13/04/2014

What has MPATT been doing for its members?

MPATT met with officials at the Ministry of Health in 2013 after meeting on many instances with the SWRHA in 2012 regarding counter proposals for salary negotiations. Details of these meetings were posted on MPATT’s website. As of January 2014, MPATT understands that the counter proposal is being finalized by a high-level team within the Ministry. Despite several rumors over the last year regarding MPATT’s proposals to the Ministry, our proposal was always available on our website for public access and has never wavered from the proposal that MPATT communicated to our members at meetings in SFGH, SGDH, POSGH and EWMSC.

MPATT has intervened in the issue of the removal of motor vehicle tax and VAT exemptions from doctors. Affected members, that is, those who heeded MPATT’s call to submit their individual statements regarding refusal by their RHA to facilitate these exemptions, would be pleased to know that MPATT has received positive feedback from the Ministry and a resolution is imminent.

As a trade union, MPATT is not at liberty to put as public information, the many battles that have been fought on behalf of its membership, but some may question what MPATT has done for doctors. MPATT does not have to remind its membership about the fierce battles of late 1990s and early 2000s which resulted in an almost three-fold increase in salaries for doctors; those who worked tirelessly in the trenches will surely never forget those times and will appreciate what a victory that was for the profession. No other Union has ever achieved a 300% increase.

More recently, MPATT has fought not-so-public battles on behalf of individual members at the various RHAs

In the ERHA, MPATT most recently ensured the repayment of allowances to a member whose allowances were being adjusted when on leave. Two other very similar matters are currently receiving the attention of the ERHA on behalf of our members.

In the NCRHA, MPATT has had significant success on behalf of individual members. Going back to 2008, MPATT represented a doctor who penned a December 17, 2008 letter expressing “sincerest gratitude… to representatives of MPATT…for invaluable advice and support…” This same doctor appears to have a change of heart as he now most recently openly asks whether MPATT has done anything for doctors and whether members are happy with representation. He now wants Reform.

Two other doctors were distressed in 2012 when the NCRHA attempted to recover monies paid to them under the pretext that they had not earned it, and MPATT intervened successfully, notwithstanding that it took quite a long time to achieve this result. One other doctor was accused of having abandoned the job and again MPATT intervened with a positive result.

MPATT provided first counsel to doctors involved in the QAC matter in NCRHA this year, and wrote numerous letters to the CEO to ensure that due process was followed.

In the SWRHA, MPATT recently represented one of its members at the Industrial Court who was accused of having abandoned the job. This member eventually won judgment against the SWRHA in Court and has since been compensated in excess of $350,000.

MPATT also provided first counsel to doctors involved in the CBR matter in SWRHA, and intervened to ensure that due process was followed. MPATT also represented members against SWRHA with respect to non-payment of gratuity, issues surrounding compensatory leave, complaints about unfair performance appraisals, all with successful outcomes.

Where is JDATT now?

Did they put out any statement or attempt to defend the Junior Doctors in the matter involving the baby (QAC) at NCRHA this year?
These are the same individuals who are purporting to Reform MPATT!
They have no experience running an Organisation or at a Negotiation Table. Look at their past history with their own failed initiative!

More to come!

17/09/2012

MPATT Newsletter

17/09/2012

MPATT has formed an alliance with B- Mobile to provide discount rates for B-Mobile services. This is available to all FINANCIAL members.
http://www.mpattonline.com/b-mobile.html

17/09/2012

http://www.mpattonline.com/b-mobile.html

Medical Professionals Association of Trinidad and Tobago

17/09/2012

http://www.mpattonline.com/digicel.html

Medical Professionals Association of Trinidad and Tobago

17/09/2012

MPATT-BMOBILE
Dear Colleagues,

MPATT has formed an alliance with B- Mobile to provide discount rates for B-Mobile services. This is available to all FINANCIAL members. A doctor is deemed to be a FINANCIAL member if their monthly Trade Union Dues are taken out of their salary package by their employer or if they pay the equivalent of a minimum of twelve months subscription for which they will receive a letter stating the time period covered.

When no monthly Trade Union Dues are paid and/or the member is deemed to be in arrears, the member will no longer be entitled to the preferential rates and B-Mobile will automatically revert their bill to normal rates with immediate effect. B-Mobile also reserves the right to request payment of retroactive amounts as applicable.

For more info please see B-MOBILE

MPATT members who are interested in this offer are asked to contact me at: ayoungcheepkv@yahoo.com

Doctors who wish to join MPATT should submit their application form and $50.00 ENTRANCE FEE to their local representatives or to MPATT office.

B-Mobile is willing to visit each main institution (POSGH, SFGH, EWMSC, SGH, ETC) to facilitate groups of more than 20 applicants. Handsets are will also be available at reduced rates.

All applicants require prior approval of MPATT.

Your humble servant
MPATT

Philip Ayoung-Chee
MPATT – Members Benefits

Uniting, Protecting and Advancing the Medical Profession
86 Main Road, Chaguanas
E-mail: admin@mpattonline.com
Tel: 671 6557FAX: 671 9483

16/09/2012

MPATT Newsletter

16/09/2012

MPATT-DIGICEL

Dear Colleagues,

MPATT has formed an alliance with DIGICEL to provide discount rates for Digicel services. This is available to all FINANCIAL members.

A doctor is deemed to be a FINANCIAL member if their monthly Trade Union Dues are taken out of their salary package by their employer or if they pay the equivalent of a minimum of twelve months subscription for which they will receive a letter stating the time period covered.

When no monthly Trade Union Dues are paid and/or the member is deemed to be in arrears, the member will no longer be entitled to the preferential rates and Digicel will automatically revert their bill to normal rates with immediate effect. Digicel also reserves the right to request payment of retroactive amounts as applicable.

The two plans are:

· $75.00 for 150 minutes with 50 Digicel to Digicel texts (VAT inclusive)

· $165.00 for 350 minutes with 75 Digicel to Digicel texts (VAT inclusive)

· Bundled minutes are for ALL local networks

· There is free Digicel to Digicel calls from 10.00pm to 06.00am on weekdays and for the entire weekend

· Each member can have three accounts (three numbers) on one bill

· On sign-up, each account (up to three) will be entitled to a free phone or discount prices on some handsets (SEE MPATT Affinity offer page 4)

International Rates include (VAT inclusive):

US; Canada; UK $1.50 (weekday) $1.10 (week-evening) $0.55 (weekend)

Caribbean, India $1.50 $1.10 $0.85

Africa $3.00 $2.10 $2.00

$1 surcharge on international calls to mobiles except for where receiving party is charged to receive calls (e.g. US, Canada)'

For more information please see our website http://www.mpattonline.com/media.html

MPATT members who are interested in this offer are asked to contact MPATT Representative Dr. Philip Ayoung-Chee at: ayoungcheepkv@yahoo.com

Doctors who wish to join MPATT should submit their application form and $50.00 ENTRANCE FEE to their local representatives or to MPATT office.

Digicel is willing to visit each main institution (POSGH, SFGH, EWMSC, SGH, ETC) to facilitate groups of more than 20 applicants.

All applicants require prior approval of MPATT.

Your humble servant

MPATT

Philip Ayoung-Chee

MPATT – Members Benefits




Commonly Asked Questions

Do I have to change my Digicel number?

Answer – NO and it does not matter if it is pre-paid. It will be registered.

Do I have to change my handset?

Answer – NO, unless you want 4G data and will have to buy a 4G handset.

Do I have to accept the free handset – Nokia C101?

Answer – NO but why refuse a new phone when the old one is more than two years.

Should all Doctors be encouraged to join?

Answer – YES as this will increase the benefits of free 10pm to 6am calls during the week and free calls on weekends

Could the other two accounts be non-Doctors?

Answer – Whoever you choose will be registered but the one bill with the three accounts will be sent to you.

Is this plan available to new members?

Answer – Yes, provided you submit the monthly deduction slip to MPATT

What happens when I stop my monthly dues?

Answer – Digicel will revert your bill to the normal rates with immediate effect and also reserves the right to reclaim all discounts and special privileges such as handsets, devices, etc.

Medical Professionals Association of Trinidad and Tobago

09/09/2012

MPATT Meeting Friday 14th Sept 2012 SFGH