By Patrick Odey
The Nigerian Medical Association, Akwa Ibom State chapter, has threatened to embark on strike if the management of St. Luke’s Hospital, Anua, Uyo, fails to review the staff salaries in line with the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure.
A five-day ultimatum was given to the hospital to begin discussions on the upward salary review, as the medical professionals declared that a warning strike would follow if no “reasonable compromise” was reached at the expiration of the ultimatum.
The resolution was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the association’s emergency general meeting held on Friday, where members reviewed developments following an encounter with the hospital administrator over poor remuneration of staff and remittance of dues by the facility.
The communiqué, signed by the state Chairman, Prof. Aniekan Peter, and Secretary, Dr. Ighorodje Edesiri, was made available to journalists in Uyo on Saturday.
It read, “The meeting reviewed developments following the recent encounter with the Administrator of St. Luke’s Hospital, Anua, concerning poor remuneration of his staff and remittance of dues by the facility.
“After extensive deliberations, the Congress resolved as follows: mandated a five-day ultimatum to the management of St. Luke’s Hospital, Anua, to open discussions concerning upward review of staff salaries at par with CONMESS and develop conditions of service for staff under the hospital’s employment.
“Congress mandates that if no reasonable compromise is reached at the end of the ultimatum, the state branch shall issue a warning strike, and possibly an indefinite strike.”
The association said the action was aimed at ensuring its members receive a living wage.
