Meanwhile, the hospital’s management has slammed the union’s action, describing it as illegal since the case is still pending before the National Industrial Court.
The medical and health workers at the weekend declared indefinite strike over what they described as the Federal Government and management’s neglect.
Although issues of industrial disharmony and unsettled agreement between the management and labor at National Orthopaedic Hospital have been raging, the current decision to embark on strike was in compliance with directive of the national body’s resolutions after its conference in Ilorin, Kwara State capital.
Chairman of the union, Karibu Lawal, said the medical and health workers are asking the Federal Government and management of the hospital for the following:
• Release of 2011 promotions;
• Release of those withheld because of skipping of CONHESS 10 as well as 12 and above, sponsorship of members for professional training and seminars; • Promotion of health assistants with case of waiver, and conduct of 2012 promotion exercise.”
Lawan explained that the strike became necessary since the management ignored the 14-day ultimatum the union gave it to create room for dialogue.
However, Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Dr Kabiru Abubakar, said the management was disappointed in the attitude of the union, saying members could not show sympathy for the innocent patients lying sick in the hospital.
Abubakar explained that the issue of CONHESS is an exclusive matter of Federal Ministry of Health, saying the management is helpless in that regard.
On the workers’ promotion and waiver of plaster technicians, the CMD said the management is awaiting the Federal Government’s delegation for the conduct of the promotion examinations. He noted that over 30 per cent of the hospital’s subvention had already been spent on workers’ training.
“Most of the workers’ agitations are minor and they are something we can settle mutually. We have facts and figures to prove our expenses on workers’ capacity building. There is no way any institution would sponsor all its workers on training at the same time. Just because one or two individuals the ‘union’ considered important are yet to benefit from the training, they declared strike. Things are not done that way”, Abubakar said.
He appealed to the striking workers to rescind their decision in the interest of the poor masses needing their essential service.
Although access to speak with the in-house patient on the impact of strike was denied, information revealed that full-scale medical services have been suspended in the hospital.
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