They will meet at the Basilica and march to Pangai Si'i in central Nuku'alofa, joining the two week old national strike of civil servants

Their decision to strike follows an unsatisfactory reply to a warning letter they sent to the Cabinet this week.

Sister Kaloni Fihaki read a letter of reply from the Minister of Health stating that government could not meet the, now popular, demand of the Public Servants for "60%, 70% and 80%."

At a short meeting at 6pm today led by Dr Semisi Latu, it was agreed the Vaiola Hospital staff will meet at the Basilica on Taufa'ahau Road at 12.30 pm, in their working uniforms and march to join over 3,000 public servants who have been on strike since July 22.

Up until today the doctors and nurses had given their moral support to the public servants who went on strike, while maintaining essential services at the hospital.

However, because government had shown its unwillingness to offer an acceptable solution, the staff of Vaiola decided to write this week to write and inform their minister of the intention to go on strike unless the demands of the PSA were met.

Not budging

Meanwhile, at Pangai Si'i today , Vili Vete, a member of the Public Servants Association'’s Interim Committee told the striking civil servants that after their meeting on Wednesday with Cabinet's Sub Committee it was clear that Government was not budging from their previous proposal of 20%, 15% and 10% pay rises.

He said the PSA who still rejected that offer and were standing firm with their call for "60, 70, 80%", were now calling on the most essential civil servants in Tonga, the doctors and the nurses, to join the strike.

Vili told a cheering crowd at Pangai Si'i , that the doctors and nurses had presented their letter of warning to the Minister of Health Hon. Dr Viliami Tangi, on Wednesday to present at Thursday afternoon's cabinet meeting.

In the meantime, the PSA Strategy Committee, chaired by Pita Taufatofua, and including Lu‘’isa Kefu, Vika Fusimalohi, ‘‘Ativeniana Pomana and Penisimani Fifita as members, are going ahead with plans for a mass march to the King on Monday August 8.

Although the weather at Pangai Si‘’i today was cloudy and cold, it did not stop the enthusiasm of thousands of striking civil servants and their supporters who were dressed warmly and cheering loudly.