ABSTRACT
In recent times the issue of Health workers going on strike is becoming worrisome,
and rampart to the extent that if on section of the workforce does not go on strike
for one demand or the other section may go and it occurs always.
During the period of these strikes, the losses suffered by the workers,
patients and management are usually enormous when quantified in lost revenue,
man hours and unavailability of medical service.
At UNTH, Enugu, doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other professionals have
at one time or the other gone on strike as a result of certain demands. When
government ignores them, the strike will be extended as there is no platform for
negotiation with the aim of reaching amicable settlement.
The drive and urgent need to put a stop to these unwholesome incidents,
made the writer decides to dig into the strategies for promoting good industrial
relationships.
About 90% of the disharmony and strike bothered on remunerations and the
other 10% on the other Sundry matters. Most importantly is the managements
inability to meet her personal cost requirements to the workers as and when due
and also inability to source money to pay for approved increases in salaries and
allowances or in certain cases outright diversion of funds earmarked for a
particular purpose. Others borders on delay in implementing agreed decisions
before suspension of strike, variance objectives between management and staff,
incessant sale of hospital equipment to outsides instead of the workers, lack of
good working environment and dissatisfaction with personnel officer in charge of
circular interpretation and implementation.
When the strike last longer, management will lose revenue, experience
diminished activities, workers sometimes become restive and at times violent,
when salaries are withheld, patients will be hurriedly discharge and will be made to
pay high fees at private clinics, the government will be under pressure to resort
normally to save lives.
However, with collective bargaining improvement in conditions of service,
prompt payment of salaries and allowances and the assumption of labour friendly
relationship and the willingness to quickly implement agreed decision and more
importantly have a way of communicating management decisions to the workers to
avoid rumor mongering that may at times be damaging, or lead to strike, will
greatly ensure good industrial relation and strike free health sector
