NLC and TUC accuse FUTATH management of victimising union members and breaching a transition agreement as the hospital denies the allegations

Organised labour unions in Ondo State have issued a seven-day ultimatum to the management of the Federal University of Technology Akure Teaching Hospital (FUTATH), warning that the institution could face an indefinite industrial action over alleged victimisation of workers and breaches of an existing transition agreement.

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The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), led in Ondo State by Comrade Demola Olopade and Comrade Clement Fatuwase respectively, accused the Federal Government-owned teaching hospital of intimidating workers because of their membership of recognised trade unions.

The allegations were contained in a letter jointly signed by both labour leaders and addressed to the hospital management. A copy of the letter was made available to journalists on Monday.

The unions argued that every worker has a constitutionally protected right to belong to a trade union and warned against what they described as a pattern of harassment directed at labour leaders and union members.

The letter stated: “Persistent reports of intimidation, victimisation and witch-hunting of labour leaders and trade union members solely on account of their legitimate trade union activities.

Organised Labour shall resist, through every lawful means, any attempt to intimidate or suppress the leadership of its affiliates.”

The labour bodies further reminded the hospital management that trade unionism is protected under Nigerian law and cannot be curtailed at the discretion of any public official.

“Trade unionism is a constitutionally protected institution, not a privilege to be granted or withdrawn at the discretion of any public officer.

No chief executive, regardless of office, possesses the legal authority to undermine workers’ lawful right to organise or to disregard obligations arising from a duly executed agreement,” the letter added.

Beyond the allegations of victimisation, the unions accused the hospital of violating the Memorandum of Understanding governing the transition of the institution from Ondo State Government ownership to the Federal Government by allegedly excluding some workers listed on the agreed nominal roll.

The labour organisations demanded the immediate enrolment on the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) of every worker whose name appears on the authenticated nominal roll attached to the Memorandum of Understanding.

The unions also called on the management to stop any practice requiring employees to renounce membership of lawful trade unions and to end all forms of intimidation, discrimination or victimisation against labour leaders and union members.

They warned that failure to comply within seven days would trigger all available legal industrial dispute mechanisms, including an indefinite strike capable of shutting down hospital operations.

“Failure to comply fully with the foregoing demands within the stipulated seven-day period shall be interpreted as a deliberate rejection of the resolutions of Organised Labour and a continued repudiation of the Memorandum of Understanding,” the unions said.

“In that event, Organised Labour shall have no alternative but to immediately activate all lawful industrial dispute resolution mechanisms available to it, including the commencement of an indefinite industrial action that may result in the total shutdown of the Federal University of Technology Akure Teaching Hospital.”

Responding to the allegations, Chief Medical Director of FUTATH, Professor Olusegun Ojo, dismissed the claims, insisting that the hospital management had fully complied with the Memorandum of Understanding and had not victimised any employee.

Professor Ojo expressed disappointment over the unions’ position, saying the dispute stemmed from a misunderstanding of the transition agreement.

“It was disappointing to hear labour leaders publicly declare that they intended to make my work difficult. They appeared not to have studied the MoU.

Had they asked, I would have gladly explained it to them. I had already discussed the MoU with their leadership,” Professor Ojo said.

The Chief Medical Director added that industrial disruptions in a healthcare facility could have serious consequences for patients receiving critical treatment.

“It is disappointing that educated people would disrupt the peace of a hospital.

If there are concerns about the leadership, there are established channels for addressing them. Hospitals care for cancer patients, people with severe infections and patients awaiting surgery.

Even during war, hospitals are protected. I expected greater restraint regardless of their grievances,” Professor Ojo stated.

The dispute comes amid the ongoing transition of the teaching hospital following its takeover by the Federal Government, a process governed by a Memorandum of Understanding intended to safeguard workers’ rights, employment conditions and payroll migration.

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Labour unions have previously raised concerns over the implementation of agreements during similar transitions in public institutions, while managements have generally maintained that they are complying with approved procedures.