nurses
France: hospital workers' strike enters third day
Workers, including doctors, nurses and technical staff at the Edouard Herriot hospital in Lyon have voted to continue strike action in support of their demand for more staff and improved conditions.
Strike observance is high amongst medical staff who have organised the strike to protest against understaffing and unsafe working conditions. Those who have been requisitioned to work during the strike (and face legal action if they refuse) have attended work wearing armbands with 'striker' written on them.
African health worker gap catastrophic
Rob Ray looks at claims that a brain drain to West is crippling healthcare across the African continent, for Freedom Press
It has been revealed that the global shortfall in healthcare professionals has reached four million people – with one million needed in Africa alone. The figures were voiced at the Global Forum on Human Resources for Health, which opened in the Ugandan capital of Kampala on March 3rd.
Fiji: Public sector strikes grow amid death threats and intimidation
A week long strike by 1400 nurses in Fiji expanded on Thursday as 1000 teachers and 300 public works, water and sewerage workers also began strike action.
They are demanding the reversal of a 5% pay cut and the changing of the retirement age from 60 to 55, and an additional 10% pay rise. The pay cut and change in retirement age were announced shortly after the military government took power in a coup last December.
NHS/UNISON health workers disappointed at low pay increase offer
UNISON calls government pay increase "paltry." Improved offer expected; NHS ballot in August-September will determine outcome.
NHS employers and union representatives meet today to discuss a new settlement for health staff in England.
Mike Jackson, UNISON’s lead negotiator, said the unions were hopeful there would be more money on the table.
