Nurses’ union calls off strike

Nurses have called off their strike that was to begin today, following a court order.

Mr Okiya Omtatah, an activist, had filed an application at the Industrial Court and obtained an order suspending the strike pending the hearing of the case on December 11.

Kenya National Union of Nurses General Secretary Seth Panyako yesterday said the union respects the law.

“Because this union was given to the nurses by the court, if they suspend our industrial action, we will respect the order and await the hearing,” Mr Panyako said in Nairobi.

However, in Embu, health workers said they would begin their strike today to press the government to implement a new collective bargaining agreement that spells better remuneration and scheme of service for them.

Local union officials differed with their national colleagues and said they would mobilise members to down their tools today.

Speaking to the Nation by phone, the deputy chairman of the nurses’ national union, Mr Joseph Ngwasi, said the government had let them down by failing to honour its agreement which the union. “We have done enough mobilisation and the strike is on.”

Mr Omtatah’s application, which was certified urgent, wants the Attorney-General, the principal secretaries for Labour, Health and Devolution, the Public Service Commission and the Kenya National Union of Nurses to respond to the issues raised.

Mr Omtatah wants the respondents to explain “why they can’t sign the collective bargaining agreement” and why nurses and health workers on contract “cannot be confirmed”.

Mr Panyako had said the health workers would boycott work starting today if the government does not meet their demand for a salary review and better conditions.

However, the union’s chairman, Mr Jophinus Musundi, had dismissed the strike call, saying negotiations with the government were going on and it would be premature to take to the streets.

“You do not negotiate or sign agreements in the street. Our discussions are on course,” he said.
The chairman said the union was committed to ensuring that nurses get better terms through legal means.

Mr Panyako had accused Ministry of Health officials of refusing to call for a meeting for the past 81 days to negotiate with them.