Disgruntled staff at the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital could take some form of industrial action over the long standing project managers dispute.

The Bermuda Public Services Association was drafted in to meet with staff last week following fresh complaints that nurses were being excluded from the implementation of the controversial programme management strategy.

About 200 staff signed a petition claiming they were dissatisfied with the way in which the programme was being introduced. It was also rumoured that some workers were calling for the resignation of Bermuda Hospitals Board Executive Director Sheila Manderson.

Last night a union leader confirmed that workers had "not been encouraged'' by the board's response to their concerns.

And when asked if industrial action was being considered, BPSA General Secretary Stephen Emery said: "All things are possible''.

Mr. Emery accused board chairman Clement Talbot of dismissing staff concerns which, he said, were felt not only by nursing staff but other departments as well.

"We have not really been encouraged by the response of the chairman of the board because, as I expected from him, he backed his executive pretty much to the hilt,'' Mr. Emery said. "All things are possible but I would just hope that the board is understanding to the concerns of the staff.

"One of the major concerns seems to be a lack of communication. The whole concept of the programme managers is based on the principle of inclusion but in fact many members of staff felt that, if anything, they are being excluded -- everything continues to come from the top.

"I believe the petition was signed by about 200 staff. That's not just nursing staff, it is across the board, including clerical staff and people in the support areas of the hospital.

"The only safeguard is that he left a little door open for staff to meet and present specific areas of concern.

"I did indicate last week that the programme management area had been pretty much resolved but, because of the way things are being handled, there are still some concerns brewing.'' Another bone of contention is the appointment of expatriate Leslie Shane as a consultant to the programme management scheme.

Ms Shane was originally selected as project manager for the surgical department but was forced to step down after staff argued that a Bermudian should get the post.

When the job was re-advertised, Bermudian Lorretta Santucci was the successful candidate but management then decided to create a new consultant position for Ms Shane.

"Last week I also said that the issue of Ms Shane was no longer a problem but I have since learned that that has not been resolved,'' Mr. Emery said last night.

Mr. Emery said he was unsure what the timetable of events will now be, although he expected to arrange negotiations between the two parties shortly.

"We hope to get this out of the way by the end of the month,'' he said.

Both Bermuda Hospitals Board chairman Clement Talbot and spokeswoman Kendaree Burgess Fairn are currently off Island and could not be contacted to comment on the latest developments last night.

UNIONS UNS