Abia State University Teaching Hospital Suspends Strike Action

The joint workers union of Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH) has suspended its seven-month-old strike action.The announcement of the suspension was made by Mr Joe Onwuka, the Assistant Director of Public Relations Department of the hospital in a statement he issued to newsmen in Aba on Monday.

According to Mr. Onwuka, the decision to suspend the industrial action followed an agreement reached by the union with the hospital management and state government.

He stated that a communique endorsed by all the leaders of the various industrial unions in the hospital has consequently urged the workers to immediately resume duties from Wednesday, July 3rd.

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Mr. Onwuka, speaking to newsmen, further explained that the union decided to suspend the strike as a mark of respect to Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu because of his personal intervention in the dispute and promise to meet the workers’ demand.

Anaedoonline.com gathered that members of staff of the hospital embarked on the industrial action in Nov. 2018.

The workers had protested against payment of the staff salaries and non-payment of ABSUTH retirees since Nov. 2014, what they called “internecine conflicts”.

Part of The workers’ grievances were the state of Udeagbala-Umueze Road, leading to the hospital, among others.

Onwuka urged the workers to immediately return to their duty posts with the usual zest and candour they were known for.

“And we also implore the state government to abide by its own part of the tripartite agreement in the interest of peace and industrial harmony in the hospital.”