THE EDITOR, Sir:

Mr Robert Dalley wrote a letter to the editor published in your Gleaner recently where he stated that it was grossly unreasonable for the president of the Nurses' Association of Jamaica, Edith Allwood, Anderson, to be demanding a salary increase of 100 per cent for the country's nurses.

I fully endorse Mr Dalley's letter comments and I have never heard of any other public-sector grouping demanding a wage increase of 100 per cent for its staff complement. Mrs Allwood Anderson should stop that nonsense about wanting a salary increase of 100 per cent. What she needs to do is to sensibly negotiate with the Ministry of Finance for a salary increase within the 20 per cent framework.

Poor performance

A 20 per cent salary increase spanning over two years would be a fair and warranted increase based on the current economic situation which is facing the country at this time. I do hope that Mrs Allwood Anderson will be responsible and fairly negotiate with the finance ministry for this salary increase, which is pending at this time.

She also needs to address the poor performance levels of the nurses who are employed within the nation's hospitals. Oftentimes, the performance level is disgraceful and it, therefore, negatively impacts on the medical service which is being delivered in the hospitals.

Please address this issue, Mrs Anderson.

I am, etc.,

RICHARD L. TOMLINSON

C/O Upper Deck Condominium

Montego Bay