Health Workers In Lagos State Suspend Warning Strike

What could be termed a graveyard peace returned to public health institutions, weekend, following the end of the three-day warning strike called by the Joint Health Sector Unions, JOHESU, on Friday last week.
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The union leaders have vowed not to enter into any new agreement with government.
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Meanwhile, peace remains elusive at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, Idi Araba, Lagos as health workers are still at loggerheads with the institution’s management.
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Reacting to the outcome of the strike in a telephone chat with Vanguard yesterday, Chairman, Federal Area Council, Lagos, Mr. Stephen Ibe said the three- day warning strike was 100 per cent successful.
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He said: “We are happy that the strike was 100 per cent successful because all the hospitals and agencies were under lock and key.
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“We coordinated all the hospitals and agencies and all the workers complied. They quietly went home. It was a peaceful protest to let the government to know that we were ready to stay for more days if they fail to implement the already signed agreement.
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“Most of the workers were asking that we embark on an indefinite strike immediately after the expiration of the 14 days period we earlier gave to the government.”
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Asked if the meeting held with the Government was successful, Ibe explained that the Union was tired of entering into any new agreement.
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“We don’t want to believe in any new agreement again. All we want is for the Government to implement the circular (skipping of CONHESS 10) as they did for the doctors and the agreement already signed by both parties should be implemented.” Ibe who sympathised with families of patients who lost their lives during the strike said Government should be held responsible for the deaths.
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Among the health facilities visited in Lagos weekend, only at LUTH were the workers still on strike.
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It was gathered that the management of the hospital will be meeting with the striking workers today.
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Confirming the development, Chairman, Medical and Health Workers Union, LUTH branch, Mr. Rotimi Akerele, said the meeting would determine whether the workers would continue with the strike or not.