The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria and the management of Abuja Continental Hotel will resume talks on October 12 over the dispute surrounding workers’ unionisation at the hotel.

TUC President, Comrade Festus Osifo, disclosed this while briefing journalists after the Congress’s National Administrative Council meeting in Abuja yesterday.

Osifo said the renewed talks followed the intervention of the Department of State Services and the FCT Commissioner of Police after the union protested at the hotel over workers’ right to organise and belong to trade unions.

He said the police commissioner summoned the hotel management and made it clear that unionisation was a fundamental workers’ right and that employees should not be victimised for exercising the right.

Osifo said the October 12 meeting would provide an opportunity for both sides to resolve the outstanding issues through dialogue.

“Currently, a meeting has been fixed for 12th of October, for us to further that dialogue. 12th of October is just next Monday, so we are expecting that they will come to that meeting, and all issues will be resolved amicably,” he said.

The TUC had staged a protest at the hotel in August over allegations that management was frustrating workers’ efforts to unionise.

Osifo said the Congress remained committed to dialogue but insisted that workers must be allowed to exercise their rights without intimidation or victimisation.

The outcome of the October 12 meeting is expected to determine the next steps in resolving the dispute. ( The Nation)