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The NLC and TUC had threatened a strike action in the past.
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However, the unions delayed the action due to pleas from the federal government.
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The unions opted to embark on an indefinite nationwide strike on Tuesday.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) have embarked on a nationwide strike.
The unions, issued the notice Monday evening in a statement signed by Comrade Emmanuel Ugboaja, General Secretary, NLC, and Comrade Nuhu Toro, Secretary General, TUC.
The NLC and TUC directed all its affiliates and state councils to withdraw their services from 12am on Tuesday, November 14, 2023.
The unions directed their affiliates to issue circulars for maximum compliance and at least 12 labour unions have complied according to circulars obtained by Eko Hot Blog on Tuesday morning.
“In furtherance to the decision of the Joint National Executive Council (NEC) of NLC and TUC, all workers in Nigeria are hereby directed to withdraw their services effective 12:00 midnight today, 13* November 2023,” the NLC and TUC joint statement reads.
“Consequently, all affiliates and state councils of NLC/TUC are directed to issue circulars for maximum compliance and these circulars be made available to the National Secretariats or posted to the NEC and WC Whatsapp Platforms.
“While we shall update you with developments as they unfold, do remain assured of our commitment to Nigerian workers and people.”
The NUC/TUC affiliates that have directed compliance of their members with the strike action include the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU).National Union of Banks, Insurance & Financial Institutions Employees, National Union of Electricity Employees, Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria, Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), and Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU).
Others are the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Polytechnics (SSANIP), National Union of Food Beverage & Tobacco Employees, Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees, National Union of Postal and Telecommunication Employees, and National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT).
ACADEMIC STAFF UNION OF UNIVERSITIES (ASUU)
In a circular signed by the ASUU president, Emmanuel Osodeke, the union directed its members to join the strike.
The academic union said the move was to protect the interest of Nigerian workers and the leadership of the NLC.
“The Nigeria Labour Congress at a Joint National Executive Council (NEC) of NLC and TUC directed all affiliate Unions to commence withdrawal of services with effect from 12:00 midnight today 13th November, 2023,” the circular reads.
“As an affiliate of NLC, all members of our union are hereby directed to join this action of NLC to protect the interest of Nigerian workers and the Leadership of the Union. Zonal Coordinators and Branch Chairpersons should immediately mobilize our member to participate in the action. A people united, cannot be defeated.”
Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU)
SSANU, in a circular signed by its Senior Assistant General Secretary, Comrade Kingsley U. S. Okayi, asked members to work with the NLC chairmen in their states and national vice presidents of their zones for full compliance.
The union also sought regular reports to the national secretariat on the progress of the action.
“I bring you warm and fraternal greetings from the National Secretariat of our great Union – SSANU,” Okayi wrote.
“I am directed by the National President on behalf of the National Administrative Committee (NAC) to convey to you that you are to lead your Branch to comply in furtherance with the decision reached at the joint emergency meeting of the National Executive Council (NEC) of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) /Trade Union Congress (TUC) held today Monday 13th November, 2023 that all workers in Nigeria should withdraw their services effective 12:00 midnight today, 13 November, 2023.
“You are to work with the NLC State Chairman of your State and the National Vice President of your zone for full compliance, also to send regular reports to the National Secretariat on the progress of the action. Aluta Continual!!”
National Union of Banks, Insurance & Financial Institutions Employees (NUBIFIE)
NUBIFIE, in a circular signed by its General Secretary, Mohammed I. Sheikh, said the NLC and TUC directed all their affiliates to commence a nationwide strike over the brutalization of the NLC president, Comrade Joe Ajaero, in Imo State.
The union, therefore, directed all its members in banks, insurance, and other financial institutions to stay away from work until otherwise directed from the NLC.
“The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) in their joint National Executive Council meeting today 13 November. 2023 have directed all their affiliates to commence a nationwide strike effective from 12:00 midnight 13 November, 2023 over the brutalization of the Nigeria Labour Congress President. Comrade Joe Ajaero in Imo State,” the circular reads.
“The organized labour consider the barbaric attack on Comrade Ajaero as a threat to workers’ freedom and fundamental rights to protest.
“To this end, we hereby direct all our members in all Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions to stay off duty as from tomorrow 14″ November, 2023 until otherwise directed by the Congress.
“Your total compliance to this directive will be highly appreciated.”
NATIONAL UNION OF ELECTRICITY EMPLOYEES (NUEE)
In a circular directing electricity workers nationwide to observe the strike action, the NUEE, through its Acting General Secretary, Dominic Igwebike, also attributed the action to the assault on the NLC president
“If the government refused to address the issues raised from the shortfall of the atrocious event in Imo State, we affirm that the nationwide strike will commence as stipulated on Tuesday 14″ November, 2023,” the circular reads in part.
MARITIME WORKERS’ UNION OF NIGERIA
MWUN, in a circular, signed by its Secretary General, Erazua Oniha, also directed its members to embark on the strike.
The maritime union blamed the action on the assault on Ajaero and the “continued refusal of government to implement agreements, nonpayment of arrears of salaries, pensions, discriminatory payment of salaries, non compliance to national minimum wage.”
“I bring you fraternal greetings from the Central Working Committee (CWC) of our union – Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN),” the circular reads.
“We are in notice of the decision of meeting of the National Executive Council (NEC) of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) which held on Monday, 13 November 2023 directing its Affiliates to mobilize for a nationwide STRIKE ACTION to kick off on Midnight Today 13 Monday 2023.
“This NLC NEC decision is prompted by a series of infractions and encroachments of the rights of workers and the distressing incidents involving the abduction and assault on the NLC President – Com. Joe Ajaero and a host of other unions officials, as well as the continued refusal of government to implement agreements, nonpayment of arrears of salaries, pensions, discriminatory payment of salaries, non compliance to national minimum wage etc.
“As an affiliate of the Nigeria Labor Congress (NLC), We shall comply to NLC directive and consequently have directed all our organs in all ports, jetties, terminals and Oil and Gas Platforms nationwide to commence immediate and total mobilization of our members to effectively ensure participation in the nationwide strike action that will commence midnight 13th November 2023.
“Whilst we thank for you for your understanding, please accept the assurance of MWUN utmost regards.”
ACADEMIC STAFF UNION OF POLYTECHNICS (ASUP)
ASUP, in a circular issued by its Secretary General, Shammah S. Kpanja, also directed compliance from its members.
It said members should withdraw their services nationwide till further notice.
“Members may recall the resolutions reached by the Joint NEC meeting of the NLC and TUC for withdrawal of services of members in IMO State from the 7 of November till the 14″ of November in the first instance,” the union said.
“The Joint NEC meeting of the NLC and TUC reconvened on the 13 of November to review the action and has resolved to withdraw the services of members nationwide effective 14″ of November, 2023.
“As affiliates of the NLC, members of the union nationwide are directed to respect this resolution and withdraw their services nationwide till further notice.
“This decision was taken to protect the interest of Nigerian workers and their leaders.”
COLLEGES OF EDUCATION ACADEMIC STAFF UNION (COEASU)
COEASU, in a circular signed by its General Secretary, Dr. Ahmed Bazza Lawan, directed all its chapters across Nigeria to commence the indefinite nationwide strike.
“Following a joint virtual meeting of NLC and TUC NEC which held today 13 November 2023, and in compliance with the directive to commence an indefinite Nationwide strike action. The leadership of COEASU hereby directs all chapters to comply accordingly,” the circular reads in part.
SENIOR STAFF ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA POLYTECHNICS (SSANIP)
Similarly, SSANIP, in a circular signed by its National Secretary, Comrade Nura Shehu Gaya, directed its members to comply with the strike directive.
The union said the decision was made after careful consideration of our collective interests and in pursuit of their shared goals
“We trust this message finds you well. In compliance with the directive issued by the NLC/TUC, we hereby announce a nationwide industrial action effective from 12 midnight today; Monday 13th November, 2023,” the circular reads.
“This decision has been made after careful consideration of our collective interests and in pursuit of our shared goals. All members are expected to fully comply with this directive to ensure our voices are heard and our demands are met.
“Your commitment to this cause is crucial for the success of our collective efforts. Anticipate your usual Cooperation pls.”
NATIONAL UNION OF FOOD BEVERAGE & TOBACCO EMPLOYEES (NUFBTE)
Likewise, NUFBTE, in circular signed by the General Secretary, Mike Olanrewaju, also attributed the strike to the assault on the NLC president, condemning the Imo State Government led by Governor Hope Uzodinma and the Security forces in the State for the incident.
It, therefore, ordered the members to ensure “total and massive compliance” with the strike.
“Sequel to the just concluded meeting of the National Executive Council (NEC) of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), held on Tuesday, 7th November 2023 and later reaffirmed at today’s NLC NEC meeting, it was resolved that all Affiliate Unions of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) shall embark on a NATIONWIDE INDEFINITE STRIKE ACTION with effect from Tuesday, 14 November, 2023,” the circular reads.
“The decision to embark on the Industrial Action is predicated on the brutal attack meted out on the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero by the Imo State Government led by Governor Hope Uzodima and the Security forces in the State. It is an abomination to humiliate, brutalize and deny the NLC President of his inalienable right under the laws and constitution of Nigeria and expect the Labour Movement to remain calm.
“Consequently, all our State Councils, Branches and Units across the Nation are hereby directed to embark on Indefinite Industrial Strike Action with effect from Tuesday, 14th November, 2023 in accordance with Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) directive.
“All our members should ensure total and massive compliance. Take note that severe sanctions awaits any Council, Branch or Unit that fails to comply with strictly with this directive.”
NIGERIA UNION OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES (NULGE)
NULGE, in a circular signed by its General Secretary, Isah Gambo, also instructed its members nationwide to withdraw their services until further notice.
“Comrades, the above jointly signed letter from NLC and TUC is a directive to all affiliate Unions to comply with.,” the circular reads.
“As a result of this, the National Secretariat of NULGE is by the above letter directing all State Chapters and Local Branches across the federation to instruct all our members nationwide to withdraw their services effective 12:00 midnight of 13th November, 2023.
“The indefinite strike shall commence as scheduled above until further directive from the NLC/TUC. ‘Injury to one is injury to all’.”
NATIONAL UNION OF POSTAL AND TELECOMMUNICATION EMPLOYEES (NUPTE)
NUPTE, in a memo signed by its Acting General Secretary, Mary I. Nwosu, also bemoaned the “brutalization and inhumane treatment” meted on the NLC president.
The union, therefore, sought a “total compliance” with the strike.
“In furtherance to the joint National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) held on 7th November, 2023 and 13 November, 2023 due to the outstanding welfare of Imo State workers and pensioners as well as the brutalization and inhuman treatment meted on the NLC National President, Joe Ajaero by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma,” memo reads.
“Consequent upon, you are hereby directed by the leadership of NUPTE to mobilize members from your Council and proceed on the indefinite strike action as declared by the NLC with effect from Tuesday, 12:00 midnight, 14th November, 2023 and report to the National Secretariat.
“Kindly ensure total compliance and give this memo the widest circulation.”
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF ACADEMIC TECHNOLOGISTS (NAAT)
In a related development, NAAT directed its members to stay at home until further directive.
The union, in a circular signed by its General Secretary, Comrade Engr. Abubakar V. Yusuf, cited the alleged failure of the Federal Government to dialogue with the labour unions and fulfill agreements.
“I bring you warm fraternal greetings from the National leadership of our great union, the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT),” Yusuf wrote.
“Furtherance to the resolution of National Executive Council (NEC) of NLC/TUC reached at the end of its joint meeting held on Tuesday 7 November, 2023 at the Labour House, Abuja, declaring a mass action in Abuja and Lagos on Thursday 9th November, 2023 and a nationwide strike action commencing from Tuesday 14 November, 2023.
“The NEC of NLC/TUC at her meeting held today Monday 13th November, 2023 appraised the level of Federal Government response to the number of demands made including the failure of exploring the principle of social dialogue in resolving the Trade dispute as declared by the NEC and subsequent directives to all organs of the Congress to ensure mobilization and commencement of the industrial action including the withdrawal of all services by workers with effect from, midnight of Monday 13 November, 2023.
“Consequently, the National leadership of NAAT in compliance to the directive of Congress hereby directs all members in your Branches to stay at home until further directive.
“Please make sure that the content of this directive gets to all members and ensure total compliance.”
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