The Director, Strategic Human Resource Management at the Ministry of Health, Mr. Benjamin Waysome responded to a request to a letter addressed to him from the Bustamante Industrial Trade Union (BITU) to discuss matters of concern relating to pharmacists employed in the public sector. A meeting was scheduled for today (Friday, August 19, 2011). However, the pharmacists and their BITU representatives decided to abort the meeting contending that they expected the Minister of Health to be present.

The Minister would like to make it known publicly that no such request was made of him. He has since had dialogue with the officers of the BITU who have verbally requested to meet with him, which request will be put in writing to the Hon. Minister.

The Minister has always made himself available to meet with bargaining units as he views a harmonious industrial relations climate as critical to the successful functioning of the Ministry of Health. He notes that there are thirty seven bargaining units within the Ministry of Health, and there have not been any problems meeting with the others.

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