Staff appeal for release of housing allowance

Unit heads and managers of various sections at the Commonwealth Health Center trooped Friday noon to the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. board to express their frustrations and fears about the fate of their housing allowance.

Of the nearly 30 employees that attended the meeting, five spoke about the ripple effect the delay in the release of the benefit has on the overall productivity of employees, ultimately lowering morale across all departments.

The housing allowance is given to employees hired from off-island to entice them to come to the CNMI. It is $600 a month for unmarried employees and $800 a month for those with families. These checks have been delayed since January due to financial crises at the public hospital.

A nurse stationed at the labor and delivery unit pointed out that pursuant to her contract with the corporation, the delay in the release of the housing allowance and its possible termination are clear violations of her employment contract. The nurse stressed that the corporation is already in breach of the contract. She said the housing allowance is part of her salary/compensation package that needs to be honored because it’s a contractual obligation and an important component of the decision she made when she agreed to work in the CNMI.

Other unit managers told the board that patient care is being affected by the “serious low morale” and the issue must be immediately addressed to prevent further chaos in the delivery of healthcare services.

According to Nursing director Leticia Reyes, the fate of the housing allowance will be the determining factor for many nurses whether they will stay on or leave. Reyes said that the housing allowance forms 25 percent of the salary of most nurses. Reyes’ department recently lost 17 nurses. She appealed to the board to carefully consider the nurses’ concerns and situation when making any decision.

Other employees pointed out that eliminating the housing allowance will make it harder for the hospital to recruit and retain qualified personnel.

Still uncertain

Chief executive officer Juan N. Babauta assured that the corporation will honor its existing contract with employees but is uncertain as to when the next housing allowance will be issued due to the corporation’s financial problems.

“As long as you have that existing [employment] contract with that commitment, we are going to live up to it until such time that contract has come to an end and a new contract is written,” he told the crowd.

As Babauta outlined the many problems facing the hospital, several employees in attendance expressed willingness to meet the corporation halfway, even if it means reducing their housing allowance.

The board later voted to create an employee committee, to be joined by chief financial officer Alvaro Santos, tasked to formulate a “compromise plan” relating to the housing issue.