It urged the government to do this before the expiration of the 14-day ultimatum given by the union to avert an avoidable shutdown of all the public hospitals across the state.
The Oyo State branch of the Campaign for Democratic and Workers’ Rights (CDWR) has called on the state government to accede to the demands of the members and leadership of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM).
It urged the government to do this before the expiration of the 14-day ultimatum given by the union to avert an avoidable shutdown of all the public hospitals across the state.
The state chapter of NANNM had given the Seyi Makinde-led government 14 days to accede to its demands. The ultimatum came into effect on May 2, 2024.
The union said it will embark on an indefinite strike if its demands are not acceded to on or before May 21, 2024.
The demands of the union include the implementation of the adjusted Consolidated Health Salary Structure, the correction of the wrong national date on promotion letters and the recruitment of more nurses and midwives in the state.
However, CDWR in a statement signed by its State Coordinator Abiodun Bamigboye (Abbey Trotsky), on Sunday asserted that the state leadership of Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress must organise solidarity action to prevail on Makinde-led government to accede to the union’s demands.
It said, "The Campaign for Democratic and Workers’ Rights, CDWR, Oyo State branch, welcomes the decision of the members and leadership of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) Oyo state chapter over the 14-Day ultimatum issued to Seyi Makinde-led government of the state.
"We of the CDWR support all these demands and call on the state government to accede to them before the expiration of the 14-day ultimatum to avert an avoidable shutdown of all the public hospitals across the state.
"The fact that nurses had to issue an ultimatum has further underscored our consistent position in the CDWR that Makinde-led government is never and far from being called workers’ friendly.
“No worker-friendly government will allow ultimatum to be issued on things that affect the living and working conditions of workers.
"Indeed, this issue of nurses especially shows how insensitive is Governor Makinde to the plight of ordinary people. His anti-worker attitude has contributed to the lingering shortage of nurses and other health workers in the state.
“It is important to state that most nurses and other health workers relocate out of the country largely because of relatively poor pay and working conditions.
"This therefore shows that a concerted and determined struggle of nurses and Midwives including other workers across the state will be required to prevail on the Makinde-led government before all the demands will be acceded to.
"It is on this basis we call on the state leadership of NANNM to immediately commence mobilization of both their members and general public in preparation for a possible strike and mass action which must be non-negotiable should the state government fail to accede to their demands at the expiration of the 14-day ultimatum.
"The state leadership of the union are hereby urged to produce mobilisation materials like posters and leaflets to sensitise both the members and general public on the basis for the ultimatum with an appeal for their support.”
"This will help build enough forces required to compel the state government to accede to their demands. The state leadership of the NLC and TUC must also be ready to organise a statewide solidarity action in order to strengthen the nurses and midwives with a view to force Makinde-led government to accede to their demands," the statement added.