SAYING that the Department of Public Health’s leadership has again ignored their demand for the reinstatement of their monthly housing allowance, a group of Commonwealth Health Center employees will consult with a lawyer today.
Thomas Esack of the CHC respiratory department said they were supposed to receive their monthly housing allowance on Friday — $800 for those with dependents, and $600 for those without.
But Esack said CHC administrative services manager Marciana D. Igitol told them that Lt. Gov. Eloy S. Inos was still reviewing the contracts of 26 health workers.
More than half of these workers are with the respiratory department, in-patient pharmacy, physical therapy, radiology, laboratory and include nurses.
Esack said Deputy Health Director John Flores told him the checks would come out by 4 p.m. on Friday.
“There were no checks and no apology, no explanation,” Esack added.
He said some employees continue to receive their allowances.
Another CHC employee, who declined to be identified, said their original employment contract stated that they are entitled to a housing allowance.
But, she added, their amended contract now states that “any housing benefit, regardless if it is in the form of housing or housing allowance, shall not exceed five consecutive years from the date of initial employment. For all current employees the five-year term of this benefit started at the effective date of the current Excepted Service Personnel Regulation, Feb. 1, 2004.”
“I would like to express my sentiment to everybody that does not know our situation at the hospital. I am so desperate because I was expecting that I could pay my bills but it never happened,” the teary-eyed health worker said.
She said they wanted to stage a protest but they were also committed to serve the community.
However, she added, they may resort to “drastic actions.”
“We can’t wait. Our family is dying and we have to pay our bills, tuition for our children, food and all the basic needs,” she said.
CHC administrative services manager Marciana D. Igitol told them that Lt. Gov. Eloy S. Inos was still reviewing the contracts of 26 health workers.
More than half of these workers are with the respiratory department, in-patient pharmacy, physical therapy, radiology, laboratory and include nurses.
Esack said Deputy Health Director John Flores told him the checks would come out by 4 p.m. on Friday.
“There were no checks and no apology, no explanation,” Esack added.
He said some employees continue to receive their allowances.
Another CHC employee, who declined to be identified, said their original employment contract stated that they are entitled to a housing allowance.
But, she added, their amended contract now states that “any housing benefit, regardless if it is in the form of housing or housing allowance, shall not exceed five consecutive years from the date of initial employment. For all current employees the five-year term of this benefit started at the effective date of the current Excepted Service Personnel Regulation, Feb. 1, 2004.”
“I would like to express my sentiment to everybody that does not know our situation at the hospital. I am so desperate because I was expecting that I could pay my bills but it never happened,” the teary-eyed health worker said.
She said they wanted to stage a protest but they were also committed to serve the community.
However, she added, they may resort to “drastic actions.”
“We can’t wait. Our family is dying and we have to pay our bills, tuition for our children, food and all the basic needs,” she said.
Comments
The same thing that happened in Tinian years ago when the former Mayor fired some Dept heads and other personel because they did not support his reelection bid.
They won big time. Cost the govt.
The shape that CHC is would maybe force a Fed receivership.in the admin. this screwed up place.