In an unprecedented move, nurses at Bermuda Hospital Board (BHB), the only hospital in Bermuda, have launched a silent protest against what they describe as seven years of financial neglect and lack of representation. Frustrated by stagnant wages, rising insurance premiums, and the absence of meaningful union engagement, the nurses have begun taking action to highlight their plight.
TNN’s Trevor Lindsay spoke with a group of these nurses over the weekend, where they outlined their grievances. Chief among their concerns is the lack of a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) or any pay increase in nearly a decade.
“We have not had an (COLA) increase, nor have we seen any wage adjustments in the last seven years,” one nurse stated. “We have been asking for a general meeting with our union for over two years. No response, no meeting—nothing. Meanwhile, we’ve been told time and time again that the hospital and the government have no money. But then last week, we saw newspaper reports confirming that the public sector group—government employees—received COLA increases for the next three years. And here we are, still waiting.”
These nurses, who serve as the backbone of Bermuda’s healthcare system, have worked tirelessly through the COVID-19 pandemic, holidays, weekends, and even throughout natural disasters such as hurricanes. They say their commitment has not been met with any form of financial acknowledgment. “Our insurance premiums go up every April, while government insurance has been capped for two years. We cannot continue like this—it feels like a slap in the face.”
Adding to their frustration is what they see as exclusion from crucial negotiations. The Bermuda Public Services Union (BPSU), which represents the nurses, met with government representatives last week to discuss pay and working conditions for various public sector divisions. However, BHP nurses and staff were not included in those discussions.
“Divisions 4, 5, and 13, which represent KEMH staff and MAWI staff, were completely excluded,” another nurse explained. “We have not had any negotiations in years, and our collective bargaining agreement (CBA) has been out of date for at least three years. The nurses indicated the union claims that the hospital has not come to the table, and as a result, we remain in limbo.”
The silent protest, which includes signs placed around hospital premises, is the first phase of their action. “We hope it does not progress any further,” a nurse noted. “This is the only hospital in Bermuda. We cannot afford for it to close. But we need Bermuda to understand that it is just one hospital, and we are being stretched beyond our limits.”
While nurses, as essential service providers, cannot strike outright, they can give notice of planned marches or demonstrations. “We are within our rights to give a 30-day notice to march, or a 21-day notification for other actions,” one nurse confirmed.
As the silent protest continues, the nurses remain hopeful that their voices will finally be heard. Their next steps will depend on the response from hospital administrators and government officials. In the meantime, the signs at Crowley serve as a stark reminder of their struggle—a struggle they say is no longer silent.
TNN News anticipated a response from the BPSU organization soon
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