Maha Nurses' Association calls off indefinite strike after assurance
Maharashtra Nurses Put Strike on Hold After Govt Promises
Mumbai: After nearly a week of agitation, government nurses across Maharashtra have agreed to temporarily suspend their indefinite strike, following written assurances from the state government. The Maharashtra State Nurses Association (MSNA) announced the decision late Thursday evening, citing positive developments on several key demands.
The strike, which had severely disrupted patient care in government hospitals across the state, was launched to push for long-pending demands. Nurses were demanding the cessation of contract-based recruitment, safeguards for probationary staff against punitive action, restoration of the Public Health Nurse (PHN) cadre, and reinstatement of senior designations like senior nurse and nursing instructor.
Despite the widespread disruption, emergency services were sustained through specially deployed 10-member squads by the Maharashtra State Nurses Association (MSNA). Operating in two 12-hour shifts across 47 branches, these teams ensured critical surgeries and life-saving care continued.
Medical Education Minister Hasan Mushrif had earlier appealed to the union to resume duties, promising that their concerns would be resolved. Though initial appeals for ending the strike were declined by the union, a breakthrough came later in the day when a delegation led by MSNU state president Arati Kumbhare, vice-president M.R. Gude, and treasurer Vilas Gharte (JJ Hospital) met MLC Pravin Darekar.
Darekar assured them of arranging a meeting with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis within two days and also ordered the issuance of a formal letter addressing their demands, reports TOI.
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Following this, the union confirmed that favourable decisions had already been taken during earlier discussions with Minister Mushrif. These included withdrawal of any contract-based recruitment plans, protection of probationary staff, and nomenclature changes.
The written assurance prompted the union to announce a temporary suspension of the strike, with all nurses instructed to report back to work from July 25.
According to TOI, "We thank the govt for the response. The strike is not withdrawn, but kept in abeyance temporarily. We expect all decisions to be implemented soon," the union said in a formal statement.
