LETTER: MBS Staff call for improved working conditions

Dear Editor,

I have been working at Medical Benefits Scheme for over 30 years. The MBS is currently celebrating 45 Years Anniversary. The state of affairs at Medical Benefits is horrendous to say the least. First off staff are catching up in the conference room packed like sardines. Is this a conducive environment for staff of which some of whom are currently pregnant? The CEO & Deputy CEO Mr Silston & Mr Brown has promised staff that the Roberts Building on Nevis Street will be ready by November to house staff up to now we have not heard anything neither has there been any movement.

Secondly there is the issue of new uniforms. Now the new uniform period which finished since last year has passed and a so called committee was formed. The Queen has been calling a  few to in to meeting on uniforms and the entire committee has not met since its inception. Tell me if that is productive to staff? Our uniforms are tired and weary and also they are very heavy for us females to wear in this blazing sun. Please Mr Silston and Mr Brown please get us the new uniforms.

Third you have a structural issue at MBS. The public should know right in the Registration Department approximately 4 weeks ago the ceiling tile caved in soaked with water. Its a good thing staff and customers did not come in contact with such a disaster because as management would say they dont have money. Shame, shame! They did their “patch” work as we call it locally anf more incidents will be there to come sadly because the CEO and Management simply don’t care.

Also which building do you know has the shit tank built right next to the cistern with the overflow open so if the shit get too high shit flows over into the cistern. It is a face that 3-4 months ago WW released an email to staff advising not to drink water in the Health and Conference building. Its because the shit from the shit tank overflowed into the cistern and sediments were seen in the tap eater hence the email. If your not in the know you would not know as to the reasoning. Which building so you know has the shit tank next to a cistern with the overflow open next to the cistern? That is hoe Management view us like absolute shit they don’t care and karma will come to each and everyone of them.

Fourth there is the issue of increase and back pay. The increase for staff has been long overdue by now but the wicked ATLU (the do nothing union) knows we are owed an increase but instead of fighting for the workers at MBS they collude with the CEO along with management to fight down staff saying we should get just 6.5 percent increase when they gave that last negotiating period.

Are these people serious? Do they know the price has gone up on everything significantly since last negotiating period. We deserve 14% and if staff backs downs because of who’s good with management and supervisor its to their detriment. Every negotiating period the union and management deliberately lets backpay build up in hopes of a large lump sum but its becoming the norm and ridiculous now. Staff must suffer and lut in 200% while MBS don’t want to give us staff the little 14% that will be broken down over 3 years. This is totally ridiculous and vexing.

Fifth there is the issue of a nice lady in Customer Service Ms Thomas who has endured pain and suffering under the hot wet wrecking tent outside Moldy Customer Service building and HR Director, the CEO and Deputy CEO are now placing her its alleged in Registration department to deal with customers since she has nearly passed out a couple times under the tent. Why should she be under a tent when MBS is paying Millions of dollars in rent to the landlord of the Roberts Building.

The wicked Management doesn’t care it seems as though once they are in their AC Office they are good to go. Now if anyone knows the Registration department to which i know in there is so cramp already plus with card renewals along with customers service customers that is going to be total caos but thank god I don’t work in that department. They seriously need to fix the Roberts building CEO and give staff some space instead of cramming staff again.

We are on the planning phase in our own small quiet not circles of planned protest action and MBS will be closed down soon.Management and Directors has until year end of resolve our issues or we will have no choice but take to the streets and embarass the management.

Stop the pussy footing and get action rollong. Enough is enough. Fed up. Fix the Roberts Building. Give us our new uniform, and we want our increase and retroactive backpay along with fixing the shit tank.

SignedH.EFed Up Senior StaffWorking at MBS for over 30 Years

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