Rivers varsity workers threaten strike over promotion

Nigerian Union of Pharmacists, Medical Scientists and Professionals Allied to Medicine has warned the management of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital that its members may embark on strike over unresolved industrial issues.

NUPMTPAM stated this while issuing a 14-day ultimatum to the UPTH management on Saturday.

The union, in a statement, warned that it would not hesitate to embark on strike at the expiration of the ultimatum if the issues remained unresolved.

In the statement by the NUPMTPAM Chairman, Mr. Awoibi Kristhien, and seven others, members of the union identified in- appropriate placement of workers promoted in 2010, and the late release of the 2011 senior staff promotion interview among others as some of their grievances.

Other demands of the union are provision of land space for the proposed NUPMSPAM secretariat, provision of rest room facilities and the reconstitution of the medical advisory committee.

The statement adds, “Sir, with due respect, we have been directed to issue this ultimatum to your management and advice your compliance within the time frame of 14 days.”

Reacting in a letter addressed to the Chief Medical Director of the hospital, the Trade Union Congress, Rivers State chapter, explained that the NUPMSPAM, which is an affiliate of the TUC, would soon withdraw its services from UPTH if the issues were not resoved amicably.

It said, “Consequent upon the above, our affiliate has issued a 14-day ultimatum to withdraw its services if your management fails to adequately address and resolve the issues in contention.

“We similarly received a letter from the Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists, UPTH chapter of the continued use of resident doctors (who are still in- training) and pathologists to carry out routine tests in the name of call duty.

“This is at variance with the law establishing the practice of Medical Laboratory Services in Nigeria.”