Hospital chiefs have pledged to do their best to cope with a threatened overtime ban by staff upset at their recent pay award.

Yesterday Bermuda Public Services Union (BPSU) President Nigel Pemberton said in a radio interview: “After the decision was conveyed to the membership yesterday the members collectively decided not to work overtime.

“However there were some concerns that patient care will still be upheld. They don't want to inconvenience the Bermudian public but these matters have to be straightened out.”

However BPSA General Secretary Ed Ball said the union had not taken a position and that it was up to individuals whether they worked overtime.

King Edward VII Memorial Hospital chief executive officer Stephanie Reid said she had not been officially told by the union about any overtime ban.

“I am aware of some dissatisfaction,” she said.

But if the overtime ban was enforced she said the hospital would resort to contingency plans.

“Yes there would be an impact on patient care. I am hoping good sense will prevail.”

Asked where she would draw extra nurses and staff from she said: “I would prefer to answer the questions when I get from my clinical managers the information they have to work on.”

She said the pay award was not the hospital's decision.

Mrs. Reid stressed the hospital had very good workers and the board was keen to work with them.

Mr. Ball refused to comment about the award, which he said was binding.

It affects 900 King Edward VII Memorial Hospital nurses, clerical and technical workers plus St. Brendan's staff.

Staff are unhappy with the package which includes a retroactive 2.5 percent pay raise until the end of September this year and another 2.8 percent until the end of contract in September 2003.

The year-long dispute on pay and working conditions was referred to an arbitration tribunal by Labour Minister Terry Lister after the workers issued a 21-day strike notice last month.

The Royal Gazette understands the union asked for a three percent award for both periods.

This paper also understands there is unhappiness about the overtime rate which did not go up. And call out and stand by rates only went up by seven cents an hour.

Workers were also wanting an increase in the shoe allowance, which is less than half that given to Bermuda Industrial Union hospital workers, said one BPSU source.

The issue was not settled at the arbitration but was left to both parties to sort out amongst themselves, The Royal Gazette understands.

Mrs. Reid said staff enjoyed “a very generous benefit plan” including pensions and health insurance and she wanted to work with the union to overcome the problem.

And last night Labour Minister Terry Lister appealed to workers to put patients first.

He said: “This initial reaction is a bit disappointing. I would urge everyone to think about it and get back to work with a positive attitude.

“It's the sick who must come first.”

Mrs. Reid was asked if nurses would be tempted to seek employment abroad because of disappointment with the pay award.

She said: “Everything is a risk.” She said people changed jobs for a number of reasons.

Salaries for the hospital's nurses had been improved over recent years said Mrs. Reid.