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Striking FCT workers
By PHILIP YATAI
The workers of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) under the Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC) on Thursday, resumed the indefinite strike they began on Jan. 19 over unresolved welfare issues.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that only a few workers were seen around the FCTA Secretariats, Departments and Agencies, compared to the massive turnout on Wednesday.
The development was in compliance with the JUAC directive to the workers to stay at home.
The action followed the appeal of the ruling of the National Industrial Court on Jan. 27, which directed the workers to suspend the strike and adjourned the matter to March 23.
The union filed the appeal against the decision of the industrial court through its lead counsel Femi Falana, SAN.
Following the ruling, Mrs Nancy Nathan, acting Head of the Civil Service of the FCTA had directed all FCT workers to resume work on Wednesday.
FCT Minister Nyesom Wike equally warned that there would be consequences for any worker who refused to resume.
Wike assured the workers that the FCTA was open to reasonable negotiation, adding however that the majority of their demands have been addressed.
However, consequent on the appeal of the industrial court ruling, the Secretary of JUAC, Abdullahi Saleh, in a circular on Wednesday, told the workers that the strike continued from Thursday.
He encouraged the workers to stay at home and pray for the success of the strike, stressing that the struggle demands unity, discipline and unwavering commitment.
He recalled that the Nigerian Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress had in a Joint communique issued on Jan. 28, asked the FCT workers to defend their rights with courage and dignity.
The labour unions argued that the order of interlocutory injunction obtained by Wike and the FCTA was against the President of JUAC, Mrs Rifkatu Iortyer and Saleh, and not the trade unions.
In a communique signed by NLC acting General Secretary, Benson Upah, and TUC Secretary General, Nuhu Toro, the unions insisted that the strike continues until Wike negotiates with the FCT workers. (NAN)
