By J, KNA
Over 2000 nurses in Kisii county hospitals have sworn to uphold their strike momentum without relenting until their demands are met, the union officials have vowed.
Speaking in Kisii town after chanting slogans of discontent over alleged laxity by the county officials to address their grievances and standoff which commenced on 8th this month, the Kenya National Union of Nurses and midwives’ members accused the officials of ignoring their plight for five years.
The Union Branch Chairman, Eric Rioba, called out the relevant county authorities to convert the Universal Health Care Nurses to permanent and pensionable terms, implement the return-to-work formula of 2017 and Collective Bargaining Agreement as their bare minimum in order for normalcy to return in the health facilities.
“These people have declined the opportunity to address the long-standing issues for five years,” he lamented.
The Branch Secretary, Elias Riang’a, accused the county authorities of failing to attend reconciliatory meetings when invited, and failing to address the issues when they convene one.
“We have sat with them twice to discuss the issues in the strike notice but nothing tangible comes out. They need to be serious when they come to the negotiating table” he said.
Riang’a alleged that the authorities were making decisions from wrong advise saying as a result they had decided to stay put until their grievances are addressed.
One Nurse, Clive Amunga, urged the county officials to back-down on their stance and address the issues raised.