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“Keeping in view of the submissions and assurances made by AIIMS that it would look into the grievances of the respondents (nurses), this union is restrained from continuing the strike,” Justice Navin Chawla said.
VSR Krishna, AIIMS counsel told the high court that these are services matters and discussions are held at regular intervals to look into grievances. The court issued a notice and posted the matter for further hearing on Jan 18, 2021.
Here's why nurses are protesting
The Delhi HC comes after AIIMS-Delhi Nurses' Union went on an indefinite strike from Monday over their long-pending demands, including those with regard to the Sixth Central Pay Commission.
Around 5,000 nurses went on strike, hampering patient care services at the AIIMS Delhi. The Union Health Ministry, following the strike, directed the institute's director to ensure no disruption of nursing functions.
Besides the demands with regard to the sixth CPC, nurses have also been demanding redressal of issues such as abolishment of gender-based reservation in the recruiting process of nursing officers and contractual appointments, enhancement of hospital accommodation and cadre restructuring.
In a letter to the director, the Union said no solid solution was taken by the AIIMS administration and rather their demand related to the 6th central pay commission anomaly was turned down.
The strike was scheduled to be observed from Wednesday, however, as per the nurses union. However, the decision by the hospital to start contractual hiring forced them to pre-empt their strike.
AIIMS' reaction on the strike
Responding to the strike, AIIMS director Randeep Guleria, through a video message appealed to the protesting nurses to call off their agitation and return to work and termed the strike as "inappropriate and unfortunate" in the time of the Covid-19 pandemic.
"I appeal to all nurses and nursing officers not to go on strike, and not to make us feel embarrassed about the dignity that we have as far as the nurses are concerned. I, therefore, appeal to all of you to come back and work and really help us get through this pandemic," Guleria said.
Amid the protest, the AIIMS administration decided to recruit nursing officers on contractual basis immediately which is against our demands, the Union said in the letter.
Guleria said in his message, "Whatever issues you have we will try and resolve amicably and try and be sympathetic to your demand. But at this time of hardship and in this time of trial and tribulation please do not go on strike.
The hospital defended its decision of hiring nurses on contract basis as a part of their contingency plan to deal with the strike call by the nurses' union.