Nurses Call Off Warning Strike

THE National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) has suspended its planned seven-day nationwide warning strike, just four days into the industrial action.
Assistant Secretary General of NANNM, Chidi Aligwe, who disclosed this on Saturday, July 2, said the strike was suspended on Saturday morning following a virtual meeting of NANNM’s National Executive Council (NEC).
Recall that nurses and midwives in the country commenced a seven-day warning strike on Tuesday, July 29, to press home their demands, including an upward review of shift allowance, adjustment of uniform allowance, separate salary structure for nurses, increase in core duty allowance, mass recruitment of nurses and establishment of a nursing department in the Federal Ministry of Health, among others.
However, on Friday, July 1, the association met with a federal government team, led by the Cordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, which included officials of the ministry; Office of the Head of Service; Ministry of Labour and Employment; Office of the Accountant General; National Salaries and Wages Commission, and other relevant stakeholders to address their demands.
At the end of the meeting, Pate told journalists that the nures and midwives had called off the strike and would resume duties immediately.
But the nurses and midwives quickly denied suspending the strike, with National Chairman of the Federal Health Institutions sector of NANNM, Murakiyo Olajide, dismissing the claim.
Olajide described the reports as false, insisting that the union had not taken any decision to suspend the strike, noting: ““It is not true. We have procedures in place whenever we initiate or suspend strike actions.
“Those procedures have not been followed, and the union has not issued any statement to that effect.”
He said although a meeting was held with government officials earlier in the day, union leaders were still consulting widely with various subgroups before a final decision would be made, adding: “After today’s meeting, we are expected to go back and meet with our subgroups, and then come back to the government with our position.”
His position was corroborating by the Chairperson of NANNM at the National Hospital, Abuja, Joe Akipi, who, in a voice message to Premium Times, insisted: “We did not go on strike under anyone’s instruction, and we will not call it off under anyone’s instruction, except from our union leaders.
“Whatever is being circulated is not true. We have not received any official communication from our national leadership.”
They inisted that the strike declared by the NANNM-Federal Health Institutions Sector (NANNM-FHI) after the federal government failed to act on a 15-day ultimatum issued on July 14, which had crippled medical services in most public health institutions across the country, was still on.
However, Aligwe confirmed on Saturday that the warning strike had been called off, directing nurses and midwives to resume duty immediately.
A circular, titled, ‘Suspension of the Ongoing Nationwide Nurses’ Strike,’ and signed by the association’s National President, Haruna Mamman, and General Secretary, T.A. Shettima, confirmed the development.
It read in part: “NEC acknowledges the positive steps taken by the Federal Government in responding to the nine core demands of NANNM, particularly the commitment to clear timelines for implementation.
“In view of the formal agreement reached, and in line with the principle of dialogue and good faith, NEC hereby suspends the ongoing nationwide strike action with immediate effect.
“NEC has directed the national leadership to continue monitoring the implementation of the signed MoU and track the government’s compliance with the agreed timelines.
“State councils are directed to mobilise members for the immediate resumption of duty. NEC resolved that no member of NANNM, including intern and locum nurses, should be victimised for participating in the nationwide strike.
“NEC appreciates the commitment and solidarity of all members throughout this action and reiterates that NANNM remains steadfast in defending the welfare, dignity, and professional rights of all nurses and midwives in Nigeria.”