Liberia Nurses Threaten Strike Over Ebola Pay

MONROVIA, Liberia (AP) — Liberian officials are pleading with nurses and physician assistants to show up to work Monday amid a dispute over hazard pay that has prompted calls for a strike in the middle of the Ebola epidemic.

Liberia's assistant health minister says the proposed strike would have "very negative consequences" for the fight against Ebola, which is believed to have killed more than 2,300 people in Liberia and more than 4,000 overall.

George Williams, leader of the National Health Workers Association, said members are demanding $700 per month in hazard pay on top of monthly salaries that are generally around $200 or $300. Monthly hazard pay is currently less than $500.

The health ministry says about 1,000 members of the association are working in treatment units across the country.

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