AIIMS nurses warn of indefinite strike

AIIMS nurses warn of indefinite strike

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi:

The AIIMS Nurses Union, protesting for the past three days over poor working condition, on Wednesday warned the administration that they would go on an indefinite strike from June 15 if their concerns were not addressed.

More than 300 people working at the institute, including 47 nursing staff, have tested positive for Covid-19.

In a fresh mail to AIIMS director Dr Randeep Guleria, the union said no heed had been paid in task force meetings to their letters and regular representations. “At this difficult juncture...we are still left unheard by the AIIMS authorities. So we have been forced to resort to severe steps, including mass casual leave on June 10,” the mail read.

If the union has to go on an indefinite strike, the AIIMS administration will be responsible for all consequences, the mail added. Seeking a prompt meeting with the director, the union said, “We also do not want to go for strike during this difficult time.”

The union is demanding implementation of a uniform four-hour shift with personal protective equipment in Covid-19 areas of the Centre-run hospital, a uniform rotation policy between Covid and non-Covid areas, and establishment of proper donning and doffing areas.

Union president Harish Kajla earlier said working at a stretch for six hours, which often extended to seven-eight hours, in PPEs was affecting the physical well-being of the nursing staff, especially women. “Several of us are getting rashes and urinary tract infections while many have lost weight,” Kajla said. Women can’t even change sanitary pads as “a PPE cannot be taken off just like that”, he added.