NAPE says it is “outraged” at the appointment of Dr. Des Whalen as a special advisor in the premier’s office, the salary for which is being paid out through MCP.
Premier Tony Wakeham has defended the appointment, saying it is all above board and in line with pay scales negotiated with the NLMA.
The union argues that at a time when the healthcare system is under a lot of strain and workers are burnt out, and frontline workers are being told to “tighten their belts” while government is “opening the chequebook for this appointment.”
The union says that they have offered access to their frontline members to provide consultations to government, at no cost to government, which makes Dr. Whalen’s appointment “even more insulting.”
(VOCM News)
Premier Tony Wakeham says he is “surprised” to hear the comments from NAPE, saying he spoke with president Jerry Earle a few days ago and the concerns didn’t come up in any way.
Wakeham says he will be reaching out to Earle again for another conversation, and reaffirms that decisions they make around healthcare will be done in consultation with frontline staff.
