Would the PLP please show some leadership with the nurses in The Bahamas

by Rick Lowe ( http://www.weblogbahamas.com )

One often hears politicians making speeches accusing business people of not caring about their workers etc, but both the FNM and the PLP should be ashamed that public employees like the nurses do not have the benefit (optional or not) of obtaining a health care plan.

That said, the country is facing the worst economic turmoil in many years with government revenue declining faster than a lead zeppelin and the so called leaders of the PLP appear to be doing all they can to incite the nurses against the government decision to postpone the implementation of a this long negotiated benefit until the economy picks up.

In times like this I believe that the PLP would gain respect if they were to stand in support of the government and say they agree with the postponing of the benefit until things get better. But unfortunately they seem to take the approach that when the chips are down, they should side with the so called small man (nurses in this case) thinking it serves their political advantage. All the while they didn't approve a health care plan benefit for the nurses either.

This seems to have emboldened the nurses in what is allegedly an illegal sick out.

As a friend pointed out on Sunday, if the nurses are sick, they should go to the hospital, not stay away!

You know there is a simple solution if the nurses sincerely want one. They can visit Bahama Health, Atlantic Medical, Colina Imperial or other health insurance providers and buy it!

But in the final, if the PLP would show some leadership with this issue, reason would prevail.