The long-standing dispute between the Saint Lucia Nurses Association and the Board of Directors of St. Jude Hospital has now reached the mediation stage, with the Minister for Labour, Hon. Dr. Virginia Albert-Poyotte, stepping in to mediate the ongoing matter.
At the centre of the dispute is the April 2024 dismissal of the hospital’s Director of Nursing, which the Nurses Association has contested on the grounds of procedural irregularities. The matter was initially brought to conciliation but has since escalated to mediation following a lack of resolution.
Minister Albert-Poyotte chaired the mediation session held on July 4, reviewing the matter in its entirety before arriving at a ruling.
“I went through the whole process again and considered all the evidence available in order to make a decision,” the Minister stated. “I do not want to speak to the decision as both parties have up to 21 days to convey whether they have accepted the decision or not. What I can say is that I have ruled on the matter based on my findings.”
In her role as mediator, the Labour Minister emphasized the importance of unity and cooperation, urging both sides to put the public’s interest first.
“In spite of what transpired, I would like the parties to continue to work together in the interest of all Saint Lucians and to maintain the philosophy of the Government of Saint Lucia of Putting People First,” she said.
The final outcome of the mediation now rests in the hands of the Saint Lucia Nurses Association and the St. Jude Hospital Board, as both parties consider whether to accept the decision made.
The Labour Department will continue to monitor developments as the process unfolds.