Knife wielding man threatens Nurse at St. Philip Polyclinic in Barbados: UNITY Workers Union Threatens Strike Action Next Week.

In a chilling exposé on the Marcia Weekes Show, former Senator Caswell Franklyn, serving as the General Secretary of the Unity Workers Union, brought to light a distressing incident that unfolded at the St. Philip Polyclinic. The shocking revelation detailed a nurse falling victim to a knife-wielding assailant, thrusting workplace safety into the spotlight and prompting a resounding invocation of the Safety and Health at Work Act.

Franklyn candidly revealed the horrifying encounter, narrating how a disgruntled parent brandished a knife during a routine visit to register his child for a vaccination booster. The escalation from impatience to violence left the nurse traumatized, shining a stark light on the vulnerability of healthcare professionals in the face of such unexpected dangers.

Expressing righteous indignation at the alarming absence of adequate security measures, Franklyn unequivocally declared that the Unity Workers Union, championing the cause of the majority of nursing staff, would not permit its members to resume duties until robust security protocols were implemented. He emphasized the pressing necessity for an immediate infusion of security personnel and the installation of metal detectors to fortify the protection of healthcare workers on the front lines.

Despite Franklyn promptly reporting the incident to the local Nation Newspaper, he lamented that the story was not carried the day afterwards, accusing authorities of downplaying the severity of the attack and fueling suspicions of a potential cover-up. The spotlight is now firmly fixed on the Polyclinic, responsible for delivering vital healthcare services, as it faces intense scrutiny for its apparent lapses in security measures.

In a bold and assertive move, the Unity Workers Union has issued a stark ultimatum, signaling a potential strike on Tuesday 23 January 2023, if their impassioned plea for heightened security is met with indifference. Franklyn, citing Section 104 of the Safety and Health at Work Act, emphatically underscored the inherent right of employees to refuse work in hazardous conditions, reinforcing the gravity of the situation.

Adding to the unfolding narrative, Mr. Franklyn expressed his profound annoyance with the Ministry of Health and the polyclinic for sending a communication specialist to address the traumatized nurses at the very location where the incident occurred. Franklyn questioned the logic of the Ministry of Health dispatching someone who may lack the specialized training required to deal with the aftermath of such traumatic incidents.

As the nation grapples with the shockwaves from this unsettling revelation, attention pivots towards the St. Philip Polyclinic's response and its unwavering commitment to fortifying the safety of its healthcare workforce. The incident serves as an alarming reminder of the imperative for bolstered security measures in healthcare facilities, particularly in the face of escalating violence against healthcare professionals. 

The resolute stand taken by the Unity Workers Union resounds as a powerful message – the safety of healthcare workers is sacrosanct, and immediate, decisive action is indispensable to forestall the recurrence of such harrowing incidents in the future.

Furthermore, it has been observed that the National Union of Public Workers (NUPW), which represents only a fraction of nurses, consistently emerges in the aftermath of such incidents. There seems to be a pattern, almost like a scheduled appearance reminiscent of a comedy show, where the NUPW makes a grand entrance only when incidents like these gain media attention.

This recurring trend, as highlighted, can create a misleading perception that the Unity Workers Union, representing the majority of nurses, is not actively engaged in addressing the concerns of its members. A recent incident at the Warrens Polyclinic drew attention to the necessity for a fair representation of unions in the media to dispel any misconceptions regarding which union genuinely advocates for the interests of the majority of nurses.

In the broader context, these observations paint a picture not only of a security crisis within healthcare facilities but also of a systemic issue in the response mechanisms to such crises. The emphasis on inadequate security measures, coupled with the call for authentic representation and support for healthcare workers, underscores the pressing need for comprehensive reforms to ensure the safety and well-being of those on the frontline of healthcare services.