GPSU: Compromise? No! Rudy Small Must go

THE GUYANA PUBLIC SERVICE UNION (GPSU) WILL NOT BUDGE: Rudy Small
must go.
The workers representative at a press conference Monday reiterated its stance on the raging
controversy stirred by the Linden Hospital Complex (LHC) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) who
accused nurses of absconding from night duties in preference for off campus trysts with their
lovers.
Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary (PS) Mr. Malcolm Watkins, removed Small, no stranger
to self-created disputes, last Tuesday, but the government reinstated him the following day with a
soft caution.
When he returned to the LHC complex, Small waved jubilantly and smiled triumphally at
outraged staff who have since intensified industrial action to help rid the health institution of the
controversial figure who had to be moved from Leonora Hospital and the Diamond Diagnostic
Centre for disputes he stirred with employees.
GPSU President, Mr. Patrick Yarde blasted Small’s comments equating it with referring to
LCH’s nurses as “whores”.
Their colleagues from Regions Three, (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara); Five
(Mahaica/Berbice); Six (East Berbice/Corentyne) and the capital city, Georgetown, are standing
in solidarity with them. Nurses from these four Regions have publicly condemned Small’s
comments as “disrespectful and insulting” to healthcare workers attached at LHC.

Yarde at Monday’s press conference knocked the Irfaan Ali administration for their “lack of
condemnation” of Small’s statements. So far, no Government Minister or senior official has
publicly disassociated him/herself from the CEO’s contemptuous reference to the healthcare
workers or flagged the CEO for his vilification of government employees.
The Ministry’s, bifurcated response is worrying, Yarde noted, reminding the media that PS
Watkins first removed Small, then Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony, reversed the decision the
following day with a half-hearted caution to the now-toxic CEO.
“It should be noted that in addition to his expressions being in the public domain, the CEO
admitted using the remarks that the nurses accused him of. These remarks were also recorded by
the interviewer. Consequently, these developments have contributed to an untenable situation
which is very disturbing in the GPSU and the workers of the Linden Hospital. Since it is now
obvious that the CEO’s conduct is condoned and supported by his superiors, including those at
the political level, it appears as though they are prepared to be ruthless in subjecting our
members to humiliation and a hostile work environment. This double standard and obvious
insensitive and uncaring conduct by the regime are inconsistent with the public undertaking
made, which would be challenged by the GPSU,” 1 st Vice President Ms. Dawn Gardener said.
Gardener continued, “I would like to emphasise that the protest actions taken by the nurses are
restricted to blocking the CEO from entering their work environment. They scorn him; they have
totally lost confidence in him. He is like an infectious disease. They consider him dangerous and
toxic to their work environment.”
Small must suffer for his “loose, irresponsible, unethical, unprofessional and vulgar conduct,’
Gardner contended.
She said the union is “in consultation with our attorneys are exploring legal options with a view
to engaging a court of law for redress as it relates to these slanderous remarks.”
CEO Small should hang his head in shame for his vulgar and public attack on professional
women, particularly in the month of March when the virtues and advancement of women are
under focus.

“Even more shocking, is the fact that no government official has stood up to condemn this
verbal assault on female frontline workers. How can anyone believe that there exists a caring and
responsible government that is interested in their welfare, wellbeing and uplifting their morality?
How can anyone believe what is on the billboard a government for all?” Gardner queried.