Report or Not To Report to CNMI DOL: Rota Nurses Receive Minimum Wage Backpay.

I question the headline and some of the facts in the Saipan Tribune

This whole story is a big mess. The nurses were ordered by the CNMI DOL to report to Labor to find a new employer. The nurses are still reporting in violation of the DOL order to a CNMI Government facility, and working without getting paid. Apparently $16,000 was appropriated to pay the nurses miniumum wage for the past 2 months, but what exactly does that mean? The nurses have a contract with SEAS Employment Agency, so do they get the $16,000, or does the agency receive the money? And what about the additional $184,000 the CNMI Government owes SEAS?

The nurses are quoted in the Saipan Tribune that they would like to work directly with the CNMI Government because they are not paid on time, but the reason they are not paid is because the CNMI Government is not paying SEAS.

Back in 2003 SEAS supplied most of the nurses to CHC as well. The CNMI Government decided to hire the nurses directly because of the high turnover of the manpower nurses.

CNMI Nurse Week: May 23-29, 2010

During May of every year, the CNMI holds nursing week. National nurse week is held in honor of the May 12th birthdate of Florence Nightingale.

It seems like the nursing association has been extremely active planning a wide range of activities for this year's nurse week. They are planning another nursing association meeting on Wednesday May 19, 2010 at 11:30 in the CHC CE room by the cafeteria. Everyone is invited.

Proclamation Signing: May 18, 2010 at 9:30 a.m. at Governor Fitial's Office.

Nurse Eucharistic Celebration: May 23, 2010 at 8:30 a.m.(nurses) San Roque Church

Free Nurse Continuing Education: May 25-27, 2010

Nurse Ball: May 29, 2010 at 6:30 p.m. at the Fiesta Hotel

For further information about any activities, please contact Janice Castro at 236-8331 ext. 2420

SEAS Nurse Staffing Agency has labor permits revoked again.

Read article in the Marianas Variety.

I hate writing about bad news, but it seems that the SEAS Nurse Staffing Agency had all their nurses' work permits revoked, again. Apparently their previous unpaid medical claim of $20,000 is still partially outstanding. There was talk about how the workers weren't paid for 3 months previously and now this. I feel bad for the employees.

7000 doses of H1N1 Vaccine Now Available

read full article in the Saipan Tribune

The Department of Public Health has just received 7000 new doses of H1N1 vaccine and they are going to be conducting a few vaccination drives during the Month of January for the general public.

* Jan. 12: Tuesday Market in the Garapan Fishing Base;

* Jan. 14: Thursday Garapan Street Market; and

* Jan. 16: Saturday Sabalu Market in Susupe