JOHESU issues 15-day strike ultimatum over demands

In a memo signed by the union’s national chairman and secretary, it was noted that since June last year, the Federal Government has failed to address their demands despite President Bola Tinubu’s promises to intervene, which led to the suspension of their strike.

JOHESU had previously gone on strike from May 19 to June 6, 2023, a two-week action that nearly paralyzed healthcare services in public hospitals. The strike was called off following Tinubu’s assurance of intervention.

The memo outlined the union’s demands, including the non-payment of COVID-19 hazard allowances, a tax waiver on healthcare workers’ allowances, and an immediate halt to the creation of an agency to regulate national health facilities.

Additional demands include adjusting the Consolidated Health Salary Structure to match the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure since January 2014, implementing a consultant cadre for pharmacists in federal health institutions, raising the retirement age for health workers from 60 to 65 years, and from 65 to 70 years for consultants, as well as paying JOHESU members in professional regulatory councils.

The memo further stated, “Following the unanimous resolution of JOHESU’s Expanded National Executive Council at a hybrid meeting on October 2, 2024, and in line with Section 41 of the Trade Disputes Act, JOHESU is compelled to issue a 15-day ultimatum to the Federal Government effective from Thursday, October 10, 2024. If by midnight of Friday, October 25, 2024, our demands remain unmet, all members in federal health institutions will commence a seven-day strike.

“If, at the end of the seven-day warning strike, the Federal Government still fails to meet our demands, JOHESU will have no choice but to proceed with an indefinite strike.

“Honourable Minister, you will agree that JOHESU has consistently shown maturity, selflessness, and patriotism, even in the face of extreme provocations and the government’s prolonged delays in addressing the issues of workers under JOHESU. We believe our patience has been taken for granted. This ultimatum is prompted by the government’s continued inaction despite our goodwill.”