Workers of Ladoke Akintola University Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, have suspended their one-week industrial action, which had earlier paralyed major activities in the hospital.

The workers, after an agreement with the representatives of the Government of the State of Osun to pay their ourstanding salaries, agreed to suspend the strike action.

Various workers' unions, including the Non Academic Staff Union (NASU), on Monday, held a congress at the premises of the hospital, to inform their member of the various unions decisions to end the strike.

This was contained in a communique signed at the end of the meeting with the state government representatives chaired by Honourable Leke Ogunsola, Chairman, House Committee on Health, the State Commissioner of Finance, Dr Wale Bolorunduro and Chief medical Director of LAUTECH, Professor Olufemi Fadiora.

The government and the labour unions agreed that the shortfalls that arose from the payment of salaries and allowances for the months of September, November and December 2013, and the allowances owed by the Oyo State would instalmentally be paid in three months They also agreed that the welfare of the workers would be sorted out, including the accumulated interest on loans obtained by staff of the hospital, with a promise that Osun government will continue to pay the hospital regardless of joint ownership.

Those who signed the communique were, Comrade Faniran S.O, NANNM Chairman, Comrade Moronkeki M.A, NUAHP Chairman, Comrade Olukayode Ibitoye, NASU Chairman and other top hospital. Speaking to OSUN DEFENDER after the union congress, Ibitoye commeded the governor for his proactive response over the industrial dispute.

He said: "The governor has done it again, His commitment to the hospital is unsual. We all appreciate the governor and by God's grace, on August 9, we will not only vote for the him, we are mobilising our members to vote massively.

"We are not politicians, but it is all evident in the infrastructural development in the hospital, procurement of new equipment, while welfare of workers must continue.

Ibitoye maintained that unions have confidence in the agreement they have signed and hoped that government will implement it as and when due

By kehinde Ayantunji