Labour Unions Threaten Indefinite Strike Over Alleged Victimisation of Workers at FUTA Teaching Hospital

The organised labour unions in Ondo State have warned the management of the Federal University of Technology Akure Teaching Hospital (FUTATH) against the alleged victimisation and harassment of workers, threatening an indefinite industrial action if their demands are not met.

The warning was issued by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in a letter jointly signed by the Ondo State Chairmen of both unions, Comrade Demola Olopade and Comrade Clement Fatuwase.

The unions alleged that workers at the Federal Government-owned teaching hospital were being intimidated and victimised because of their membership of trade unions, stressing that every worker has a constitutional right to belong to a union.

According to the letter, the labour bodies condemned what they described as persistent intimidation, victimisation and witch-hunting of labour leaders and union members for carrying out legitimate trade union activities. They maintained that trade unionism is a constitutionally protected right and not a privilege that can be withdrawn by any public officer.

The unions also accused the hospital management of breaching the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) governing the transition of the hospital from the Ondo State Government to the Federal Government. They claimed that some workers listed on the duly authenticated nominal roll had been excluded from the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).

They therefore demanded the immediate enrolment of all eligible workers on the IPPIS without discrimination, an end to any practice compelling workers to renounce union membership, and the cessation of all forms of intimidation or discrimination against labour leaders and members.

The NLC and TUC gave the hospital management seven days to comply with their demands, warning that failure to do so would trigger lawful industrial dispute resolution mechanisms, including an indefinite strike that could lead to the total shutdown of the hospital.

Reacting to the allegations, the Chief Medical Director of FUTATH, Prof. Olusegun Ojo, denied claims of victimisation, insisting that the hospital management had complied with the provisions of the Memorandum of Understanding.

Ojo said the disagreement stemmed from a misunderstanding of the MoU, noting that he had previously explained its provisions to labour leaders. He expressed disappointment over the threat of industrial action, arguing that hospitals provide essential services to critically ill patients and should not be disrupted despite any grievances.

The CMD urged labour leaders to utilise established channels for resolving disputes rather than taking actions that could affect healthcare delivery at the institution.