Kerala HC directs Nurses Union to defer strike till March 19, calls for mediation

Kochi: The Kerala High Court has directed that all strike actions by nursing staff in private hospitals be suspended until 19 March 2026. Justice Mohammed Nias C.P. urged both hospital managements and nurses to seek an “amicable resolution” through formal mediation, citing the “considerable hardship” hospital disruptions can cause to the public. 

The dispute, initiated by the Kerala Private Hospital Association (KPHA), underscores tensions between hospital associations and the Kerala United Nurses Association (UNA). The UNA informed the court that wage issues had been resolved in 932 out of 960 private hospitals, leaving only 28 in contention.

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However, legal representatives of the Hospital Association disputed this claim. Acknowledging the dispute centred on wages and service conditions, Justice Nias said, “I am of the view that an attempt must be made to explore the possibility of an amicable resolution.” He referred the parties to the Mediation Centre attached to the High Court to facilitate negotiations, reports Mathrubhumi.

Highlighting the essential role of nurses, the judge added that they constitute an indispensable and integral component of the healthcare delivery system in any hospital, and warned that prolonged disputes could disrupt hospital operations and directly affect patient care.

To ensure a conducive environment for negotiations, the court directed the Nurses Association to defer strike actions and continue their duties without obstruction until 19 March 2026, while hospital managements were instructed to engage in mediation in good faith to reach a fair settlement. Both parties were also urged to avoid actions that could aggravate or perpetuate differences.

A strict mediation timeline has been set. Representatives from the KPHA, UNA, and the Kerala Private Medical College Management Association are required to meet the mediator on 17 March 2026 at 11:00 a.m., and the mediator must submit a report by 19 March, when the court will review the progress.

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