By VICTOR AHIUMA-YOUNG

THE meeting between the Federal Government and Health sector unions to resolve the lingering dispute between them has ended in deadlock. The matter was however, referred to the National Industrial Court, NIC, for arbitration and both parties have been asked to maintain the status quo pending the resolution.

The issues in contention are non-skipping of salary CONHESS 10, consultancy and specialist allowance, National Health Bill and call/shift duty and other allowances.

In a statement by leaders of MHWUN, NUPMTPAM, NASU, NANNM and SSAUTHRIAI, on behalf of the health sector unions, stated that the trade dispute shall be referred by the Minister of Labour and Productivity to the National Industrial Court, NIC, for judicial process and subsequent interpretation.

Meanwhile, the status quo ante should be maintained by parties to the trade dispute. No trade union member shall be victimized by the management for any act or omission as a result of this trade dispute. There shall be no lock-out or strike in accordance with the provisions of section 18 of the Trade Disputes Act, CAP T8, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004,  to amongst other statutory requirement; provide an enabling environment for the resolution of the dispute.

The implication of the above was that pending the resolution of the contentious issues, the status quo ante before the circular that generated the trade dispute would be maintained by both parties.”

According to the statement “Following the industrial action embarked upon by the Joint Health Sector Unions on 4th April, 2012 on various issues pertaining to the welfare of our members, the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity apprehended the matter and invited us and the Federal Ministry of Health to a meeting towards a resolution of the issues at stake.

To demonstrate the seriousness the Federal Government attached to peace in the health sector, Office of Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Head of Civil Service of the Federation, National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission were part of the meeting.

Both parties commenced negotiation on 5th June, 2012 but regrettably due to the posture of the Federal Ministry of Health, the contentious issues could not be resolved.

At the resumed negotiation today 16th July, 2012, the issues still ended in deadlock on both the substantive and other issues at stake. This therefore led the mediator, the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity to refer some of the issues to National Industrial Court for adjudication.