Strike: FG and JOHESU’s negotiations end in deadlock

-Negotiations between JOHESU and FG fails to yield positive result.

-The union however directed its state unions to await further directives on the strike.

The conciliatory meeting between the federal government and striking members of the Joint Health Sector Unions, JOHESU, which held between Tuesday and Wednesday has ended with both parties unable to agree on a common ground.

At the meeting held in Abuja, the Dr. Chris Ngige federal govermnet led delegation had appealed to the workers to put an end to their strike action but the appeal was turned down by the JOHESU leadership.

The minister of labour, Dr. Ngige had earlier accused the union of not following procedure before they began their nationwide strike, claiming they didn’t give the government the 14 days notice as required by the law.

While the union said the strike will continue; it, however, urged its counterparts in the state who had billed to join the industrial action on Thursday to hold for now.

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A joint statement issued by Biobelemoye Josiah, JOHESU National Chairman and Ekpebor Florence, JOHESU National Secretary, on Thursday, conveyed the resolution of the union.

“As a result of the ongoing negotiation between JOHESU and the Federal Government, the leadership of JOHESU wishes to inform all members that negotiation is ongoing and the strike continues nationwide in all federal health institutions and further directives will be given after meeting with Federal Government on Saturday, 30th, September, 2017.

“In the light of the above, state councils are further directed to put on hold the commencement of their strike initially billed for Thursday, 28th of September, 2017 due to the ongoing talks”, the statement read.

Recall the health workers under the aegis of the Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU) had embarked on the on going strike action over the alleged failure of the federal government to meet its demands.

JOHESU consists of hospital workers apart from medical doctors.