Workers of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), under the Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC), on Thursday resumed their indefinite strike over unresolved welfare issues.
The strike, which originally began on January 19, recorded low turnout across FCTA secretariats, departments and agencies, following a directive by JUAC for workers to stay away from work.
The resumption of the industrial action came after JUAC filed an appeal against the ruling of the National Industrial Court delivered on January 27, which ordered the workers to suspend the strike and adjourned the matter to March 23. The appeal was filed through the union’s lead counsel, Femi Falana, SAN.
Following the court ruling, the acting Head of the Civil Service of the FCTA, Mrs Nancy Nathan, had directed all workers to resume duties on Wednesday. The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, also warned that workers who failed to return to work would face consequences, while assuring staff that the administration remained open to negotiations, adding that most of the workers’ demands had been addressed.
However, JUAC’s Secretary, Abdullahi Saleh, in a circular issued on Wednesday, informed workers that the strike would continue from Thursday due to the pending appeal. He urged workers to remain at home and emphasized the need for unity and commitment to achieve the union’s objectives.
Saleh also referenced the support of major labour unions, noting that the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) had encouraged FCT workers to stand firm in defense of their rights.
According to the unions, the interlocutory injunction obtained by the FCTA authorities was directed at specific JUAC officials and not the trade unions as a whole. They maintained that the strike would continue until meaningful negotiations are held with FCT workers.
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