Nurses under the banner of United Nurses’ Association (UNA) flocked Cherthala on Thursday to declare solidarity with the striking nurses of KVM Hospital and demanded government intervention to end the ongoing strike.
Thousands of nurses from across the State assembled at X Ray Junction and marched to the KVM Hospital, where UNA State general secretary Sujanapal Achuthan is staging an indefinite hunger strike since Friday last. The protest march was inaugurated by UNA State president M. Jasminsha.
For the past 178 days, 113 nursing staff have been staging indefinite strike and dharna in front of the hospital, demanding better pay and working conditions, implementation of three shift system and reinstating of two of their colleagues sacked by the hospital management.
The UNA threatened to intensify the agitation. “If the issue is not resolved, nurses will launch indefinite strike across all private sector hospitals in the State,” said Bibin N. Paul, State treasurer, UNA. He said that UNA was contemplating fielding a candidate for the Chengannur bypoll.
In the morning, traffic along the National Highway was thrown out of gear for several hours after nurses hit the road. The protesters partially blocked the NH demanding intervention of District Collector T.V. Anupama. The siege was ended after the Collector spoke with UNA office-bearers. The police said traffic returned to normal by evening, though many nurses continued to protest in front of the hospital gate.
Even after several rounds of talks, the deadlock could not be broken. Following the failure of the latest round of talks on February 8, the hospital management said it would not participate in any talks with the UNA.
