Public Services Association president Watson Duke yesterday called for the chief executive of the Tobago Regional Health Authority Paula Chester-Cumberbatch to be fired as a number of employees refused to work at the Scarborough Regional Hospital.

Duke also demanded that workers be paid outstanding wages, or the Tobago Regional Health Authority (TRHA) will face industrial action.

Chanting "Enough is enough", a number of workers from the Scarborough Regional Hospital downed tools yesterday as they called for better working conditions and a long list of outstanding matters to be addressed. 

Protest action commenced  just after noon at the hospital.

Duke threatened to call doctors and nurses off the job next week, if outstanding matters are not addressed.

The list of demands includes proper health checks for workers, and that nurses and workers in the dietary section of the hospital be paid uniform allowances among other issues.

"And don't expect ambulance to run after next week Friday, if the TRHA don't call us and settle this by next week," Duke said.

Duke wants TRHA CEO Chester-Cumberbatch to be fired, as he claims she has refused to meet with the PSA, and is disrespectful to workers.

"The CEO refuse to speak to the PSA. That is the CEO who we beg for her job when she was fired in South West. Today we are saying let her go, we don't want her here," he said.

Duke said he learnt the kitchen of the hospital was being used to cater weddings. He called on Tobago House of Assembly Chief Secretary Orville London to investigate.

Workers told the Express that kitchen staff who participated in protest action yesterday have since  been threatened with disciplinary action.