Public Services Association (PSA) president Felisha Thomas says negotiations for regional health authority (RHA) workers have reached a key milestone, with the Ministry of Health completing the salary calculations needed to advance the process to the Chief Personnel Officer (CPO).In a release posted on Facebook yesterday, Thomas told the workers they had not been “forgotten” in ongoing wage talks, and dismissed suggestions the PSA had neglected RHA employees.Addressing reports and commentary questioning the status of negotiations, Thomas said some of the reports appeared intended to “stir conflict” and create the false impression that RHA workers had been forgotten or excluded from the process.“Let me state clearly and unequivocally: the PSA has not forgotten RHA workers, nor have you been left out of negotiations,” she stated.She said the union commenced the negotiations process for RHA employees in January 2026 and submitted proposals seeking a 10% salary increase along with the consolidation of the Cost-of-Living Allowance (COLA).“Since then, the process has followed the established mechanism that has historically been utilised to settle negotiations within the RHAs,” she said.The release explained that following the submission of the PSA’s proposals, the RHAs were required to undertake the necessary calculations to determine the recurrent expenditure associated with the implementation of revised salaries, the cost of arrears payable to existing employees, and the cost of arrears payable to retirees who fall within the negotiating period.“These calculations are based on the number of employees and retirees affected and are critical to the consideration of the Association’s proposals.”According to Thomas, once completed, the information was transmitted through the Ministry of Health for onward submission to the Human Resource Advisory Committee for review and instructions on implementation.“I am pleased to advise that the Ministry of Health has completed the required calculations and has submitted the information to the Chief Personnel Officer (CPO),” she said. “This represents a significant milestone in the process and confirms that negotiations continue to progress through the established channels.“As members would appreciate, the PSA cannot bypass the required administrative procedures. However, we have consistently engaged at every stage of the process and continue to monitor developments closely,” Thomas stated.She noted that while there may be “attempts by some to generate anxiety or frustration among workers”, members should remain focused on the facts.“The process currently being followed is the same process that has traditionally been engaged to facilitate the settlement and implementation of negotiations within the RHAs,” she reiterated.Based on the progress achieved to date, Thomas said the association anticipates that the necessary instructions will be issued in due course and that implementation arrangements, including revised salaries, will be forthcoming soon.“The PSA remains fully committed to securing a fair and equitable outcome for all RHA workers. We recognise the invaluable contribution made by healthcare professionals, administrative staff, technical personnel, support workers and all employees who continue to deliver critical services throughout the health sector,” Thomas said.She urged members not to be “distracted by speculation, misinformation or attempts to sow division”.“The PSA remains actively engaged, your interests remain firmly represented, and we will continue to keep you informed as developments occur,” she said.