Ondo Labour Unions threaten indefinite strike at FUTATH over IPPIS, workers’ rights dispute

Organized labor in Ondo State, Nigeria, is on the brink of an indefinite strike at the Federal University of Technology Akure Teaching Hospital (FUTATH). The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have issued a seven-day ultimatum to the hospital's management, citing alleged violations of workers' rights and breaches of the transition agreement that guided the hospital's transformation from a State Specialist Hospital to FUTATH. The unions accuse hospital management of failing to fully implement the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) governing this transition. A central grievance is the alleged failure to enroll all authenticated workers onto the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), despite prior agreements. Furthermore, the unions claim that some inherited workers have been compelled to sign documents renouncing their trade union membership as a condition for participating in the transition process. They deem this a violation of workers' constitutional right to freedom of association. The unions also dispute the Chief Medical Director's (CMD) assertion that the nominal roll attached to the MoU has been fully processed, stating that salary records presented during a stakeholders' meeting, which included the Ondo State Governor, validated the staff numbers. The unions further allege intimidation and victimization of labor leaders and members for engaging in legitimate union activities. They are demanding the immediate enrollment of all workers on IPPIS, an end to the alleged forced renunciation of union membership, a halt to the intimidation of labor representatives, and full implementation of the transition MoU. Failure to meet these demands within the seven-day ultimatum will result in the activation of lawful industrial action, including an indefinite strike that could significantly disrupt healthcare services at the teaching hospital. The unions also indicated they would inform relevant authorities if the CMD's continued tenure obstructs industrial peace.

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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.