Ondo Labour Unions give FUTATH seven-day ultimatum, threaten indefinite strike

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in Ondo State have issued a seven-day ultimatum to the management of the Federal University of Technology Akure Teaching Hospital (FUTATH), threatening to embark on an indefinite strike over alleged violations of workers’ rights and failure to honour the hospital’s transition agreement.

The ultimatum was conveyed in a joint letter signed by the Ondo State Chairman of the NLC, Comrade Prince Ademola Olapade, and his TUC counterpart, Comrade Clement Fatuase. The letter was addressed to the Chief Medical Director of FUTATH, Professor Olusegun Ojo.

According to the labour unions, the hospital management has not fully complied with the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that guided the transition of the former State Specialist Hospital into the Federal University of Technology Akure Teaching Hospital.

The unions warned that continued non-compliance with the agreement could trigger industrial unrest and disrupt activities at the healthcare institution if the issues are not resolved within the seven-day deadline.

According to the labour unions, the ultimatum followed resolutions reached during a strategic meeting involving organised labour and health sector unions in FUTATH on July 16.

They alleged that workers listed in the authenticated nominal roll attached to the transition MoU had not all been enrolled on the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), despite previous agreements.

The unions also accused the management of compelling some inherited workers to sign documents renouncing their membership of recognised trade unions as a condition for participation in the transition process.

They described the alleged action as a violation of workers’ constitutional right to freedom of association and international labour standards.

The labour bodies further faulted an alleged claim by the CMD that the nominal roll attached to the MoU had been “loaded,” insisting that the issue had already been addressed during a stakeholders’ meeting involving Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), organised labour and other stakeholders.

“Salary records presented during the meeting validated the staff strength contained in the nominal roll, making any contrary assertion reckless, unfortunate and capable of eroding confidence in the transition process,” the unions stated.

They also accused the management of intimidation and victimisation of labour leaders and members over legitimate union activities.

The unions demanded the immediate enrolment of all workers captured in the authenticated nominal roll on IPPIS, an end to alleged forced renunciation of union membership, cessation of intimidation of labour representatives and full implementation of the transition MoU.

They warned that failure to address the issues within seven days would compel them to activate lawful industrial action measures, including an indefinite strike that could affect healthcare services at the teaching hospital.

The unions also said they would notify relevant authorities that the continued stay of the CMD in office had become an obstacle to industrial peace if the alleged violations persisted.

Copies of the letter were sent to the Presidency, Minister of Health, Governor Aiyedatiwa, Ondo State Commissioner for Health, the Attorney-General of the Federation, and security agencies including the police, Department of State Services (DSS) and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

CMD: Transition Process Follows Due Process

Reacting to the allegations, the Chief Medical Director of FUTATH, Prof. Olusegun Ojo, said the transition process was being carried out in accordance with the provisions of the MoU.

Ojo explained that only workers approved by the Federal Ministry of Health after verification would be absorbed into the federal establishment.

He disclosed that more than 800 workers had already been captured on IPPIS, adding that a mop-up exercise had also been conducted for those who missed the initial verification process.

According to him, the disagreement arose from a misunderstanding of the transition agreement, which he said did not provide for the automatic absorption of all workers.

“Over 800 workers have been captured under IPPIS, while a mop-up exercise has been conducted for those who missed the initial exercise,” he said.

The CMD appealed to labour leaders to use established channels for resolving grievances, assuring that the hospital management remained committed to a transparent transition process and ensuring that all approved workers were enrolled on the federal payroll as quickly as possible.

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