At last, JOHESU suspends 44-day-old strike

…effective Friday as NIC takes over negotiation

ABUJA – The Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU) Wednesday said it has decided to suspend its 44-day-old strike, on Friday June 1, 2018.

JOHESU comprised of Medical and Health Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Senior Staff Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes and Associated Institutions (SSAUTHRIAI), Nigeria Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP) and Non-Academic Staff Union of Education and Associated Institutions (NASU).

This decision, according to the union, was due to the intervention of the National Industrial Court (NIC), which offered to take over the mediation process between the striking health workers and the Federal government.

JOHESU further said it decided to suspend the strike and direct members of the union to resume duties since the NIC, as a neutral and impartial organ of the Judiciary, has mandated its mediation centre to take over the negotiation and reconciliation processes within the next 24 hrs in the interest of the public.

It would be recalled that on the April, 18, 2018, the Union declared
an indefinite nationwide strike,resulting in patients being hurriedly discharged from public hospitals all over the country.

The Federal and states hospitals resorted to offering skeletal services , while patients wait endlessly before they are attended to.