The strike by nurses at Lakeshore Hospital here is set to continue after the labour department on Monday decided against mediating in the incident any further in view of the “rigid stance” taken by both the protestors and the management.
The department cancelled a round of discussions, scheduled for Monday, in view of the situation.
“There is no meaning in conducting talks when both parties are unyielding and not ready for a compromise,” Regional Joint Labour Commissioner Vincent Alex said. “We are planning to depute an arbitrator and have put forth some suggestions before both parties to resolve the issue. We expect a positive outcome.”
“We want the hospital management to take back the dismissed nurses and stop retaliation against agitating nurses,” said Sudeep Krishnan, state secretary of United Nurses Association, as conditions to meet before the strike is withdrawn.
According to Mr Sudeep, Janakeeya Samara Samithi, an organisation formed by various political organisations, social workers and local leaders expressing solidarity with the strike, will conduct a rally from Nettoor market to Lakeshore Hospital on Tuesday.
The hospital management, meanwhile, seemed unwilling to relent to the demands. “We can’t absorb the trainees as hospital staff. We are helpless (and) the protestors must withdraw the strike,” Philip Augustine, Managing Director, Lakeshore Hospital, said.