Kozhikode: Nursing services in several private hospitals across the state are set to be disrupted again as the United Nurses Association (UNA) resumes its strike today. The decision follows the collapse of reconciliation efforts mediated by the High Court, which failed to bridge the gap between the nurses’ demands and the management’s stance. UNA State President Jasmine Shah confirmed that the strike will specifically target 26 hospitals where an agreement regarding minimum wage revisions has not yet been reached.
The standoff, which saw the medical sector in a state of disarray two weeks ago, briefly eased after the High Court intervened, prompting a series of discussions between the UNA and hospital managements. However, the dialogue hit a stalemate as these remaining 26 managements maintained a firm position against the proposed salary revisions. Despite the strike, Shah noted that the public is unlikely to face widespread hardship, as the majority of private hospitals in the state have already signed wage agreements and will continue to function normally.
While the previous phase of the agitation saw large-scale participation, the UNA has advised patients to seek treatment at hospitals where agreements are already in place to minimize inconvenience. With the remaining managements refusing to budge on the issue of pay hikes, the association has signaled that the strike will continue until their demands for fair compensation are met.