The strike action, beginning from Monday (today) according to the union is to draw the attention of the powers that be to its demand.
A statement by the General Secretary, Comrade Ibrahim Walama, made available to The PUNCH, said the action became necessary following the refusal of employers to start discussions with the union on the implementation of the Wage Award agreed between the Federal Government and the organised Labour.
“Following the decision reached at the joint NEC Meeting of NUCECFWW/CCESSA held on Thursday 25th January 2024, over employers’ refusal to discuss with NUCECFWW/CCESSA the implementation of the Wage Award agreed between the Federal Government and organised Labour.
“The Joint NEC of both Unions have directed all members of the union to proceed on a three-day warning strike, starting from Monday 5th February 2024, on the first instance to press home our demand.
“Consequent upon the above, all members across the board are advised to ensure total compliance. Meanwhile, officials and members should kindly endeavour to constantly check the relevant platforms of the union for necessary information and further directives, the statement noted.
The Nigerian Labour Congress had ordered their affiliates to withdraw their services nationwide from midnight on November 14, 2023.
TUC President, Festus Osifo, disclosed this while addressing journalists in Abuja. Osifo said the strike would remain until “government at all levels wake up to their responsibility.”
The strike was also to protest the battering of the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, and some other executives of the congress in Owerri, Imo State, on November 1, as well as the pending labour issues in Imo State.
Ajaero was arrested by the police ahead of a state-wide protest in Imo, as disclosed by the NLC’s Head of Information, Benson Upah.
Although the police denied arresting Ajaero, stating that he was merely taken into protective custody to prevent a mob attack, the Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, accused the labour leader of meddling in the political affairs of the state.
The NLC and TUC later wrote their affiliates such as the Academic Staff Union of Universities, National Union of Electricity Employees, Nigeria Union of Teachers, Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria and Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics among others ahead of the nationwide strike.
The letter to the affiliates was jointly signed by the National Secretary, NLC, Emmanuel Ugboaja and the Secretary General of the Trade Union Congress, Nuhu Toro.
