Organised labour suspends FUTA Teaching Hospital strike after pact with FG

By Boye Oyeyemi

Organised labour in Ondo State has suspended its industrial action at the Federal University of Technology Akure Teaching Hospital after reaching a peace and implementation agreement with the Federal Ministry of Health and the hospital management.

The suspension was announced on Wednesday by the state councils of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Trade Union Congress and the Joint Negotiating Council, following an agreement aimed at resolving the dispute over the non-capture of 253 inherited workers.

Under the agreement, workers affiliated with the NLC and TUC at FUTATH are expected to resume duty by 8 a.m. on Monday, August 31, 2026.

However, the unions said the suspension of the strike should not be interpreted as an abandonment of their outstanding demands, including their call for the removal of the Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee, Professor Olusegun Sylvester Ojo.

“While we have agreed to the Peace, Resolution and Implementation Agreement in the interest of peace, we wish to make it clear that our legitimate demands remain,” the unions said.

The unions also demanded the implementation of the Federal Government’s commitment to capture the 253 inherited workers and called for protection of employees against alleged victimisation, harassment and intimidation.

In addition, they demanded the withdrawal of all court cases within 48 hours and the retraction of publications allegedly made against Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and organised labour, including a public apology by Ojo.

The unions said the outstanding issues must be resolved within the agreed 45 working days, warning that failure to meet the terms could lead to the resumption of the strike. They also appreciated Aiyedatiwa for his intervention and continued payment of workers’ salaries during the dispute.