The Ondo State Chapter of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM),has directed its members to embark on a three-day warning strike from March 1 over the percentage payment of their salaries by the state government.

The body gave the directive in a letter dated Feb. 26,2021, and signed by its State Secretary, Mr Aina Oluwasegun, and addressed to members of the State Executive Council (SEC).

Olusegun said NANNM directed that following the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum given to the government, the strike should commence from 12 a.m. on Monday, March 1 to March 3 at the first instance.

He said that the decision was taken sequel to the meeting the SEC and NANNM held on February16, which resolved that state government should pay 100 percent salary of January 2017, December 2020, January 2021, then 20 percent balance of December 2016 and 50 percent of November 2020.

According to him, the union at the meeting also demanded an immediate commencement of New Salary Adjustment for local government nurses within seven working days.

“Following the expiration of the seven working days ultimatum without a response from the government, you are directed to proceed on three days warning strike from 12 a.m. on Monday, March 1 to March 3 at first instance,” the letter reads.

“The association also laments shortage of nurses in all government’s hospitals, obsolete nursing tools to work with, which are leading to brain drain in nursing service of the Hospital Management Board,” it added.

The proposed warning strike is coming after medical doctors in the state have embarked on an indefinite strike over percentage salary payments.