The organised labour movement in Abuja has been sharply divided as unions expressed divergent views over the indefinite strike declared by the Nigeria Labour Congress.
The NLC on Wednesday directed workers in the Federal Capital Territory Administration, including those in the private sector, to begin an indefinite strike.
The strike was over unresolved disputes between the FCTA and the Nigeria Union of Teachers.
However, while the Trade Union Congress had instructed its members to ignore the strike and report for work, the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees threw its full weight behind the action.
In a notice signed by its FCT secretary, Sunday Joseph, on Friday, the TUC rejected the directive and distanced itself from the strike, citing a lack of consultation. The congress stressed that the NLC declared the strike unilaterally without engaging in joint union discussions.
“The directive was issued without any consultation with the TUC FCT Council or any of its affiliates in the FCT. We didn’t take part in the meeting that produced it. Accordingly, the TUC FCT Council is not a party to the said industrial action,” it said.
It advocated a more proactive and strategic approach, particularly on matters affecting workers’ welfare and children’s education, and directed all members to report to work.
“All affiliated unions and workers are urged to carry out their normal duties without fear. Members should ignore non-sanctioned orders, including unauthorised enforcement committees. Any harassment or intimidation should be reported to the TUC Secretariat immediately,” the TUC said.
TUC reiterated its commitment to the welfare of teachers and workers but cautioned against measures that disrupt children’s learning and access to a bright future.
The Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools distanced itself from the strike on Wednesday.
The union’s FCT chairman, Julius Ogundiran, in a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday, directed secondary school teachers and education officers to report for normal academic duties.
NULGE directed its members to down tool. In a notice of solidarity to FCT teachers, issued by the NULGE FCT Council and signed by state secretary, Ayendi Agede, the union directed all its workers across the six area councils to join the strike from Friday.
It instructed its entire members, including non-teaching staff of the Local Education Authority, to remain at home until further notice, calling for calm, unity and discipline in defence of workers’ rights and dignity.
In response, stakeholders have continued to raise their voices in defence of the schoolchildren who bear the brunt.
Abdulkarim Muhammad, secretary general of the National Association of Nigerian Students, Joint Campus Council, FCT chapter, insisted that students should not pay the price for disputes between the government and labour.
Mr Muhammad, at a joint conference in Abuja on Thursday, urged all parties to put students first, protect classrooms, protect teachers’ rights, and safeguard the future of FCT students.
(NAN)