NLC, TUC debunk suspension of Nassarawa workers strike

The national secretariat of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and that of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have denied the allegation that the industrial action embarked upon by Nassarawa State Workers has been called off, saying that strike continues until government clears all outstanding salary arrears.

In a statement signed by the General Secretary NLC, Dr. Peter Ozo-Eson and his Trade Union counterpart, Barrister Musa Lawal, both unions called on the state government to take all the necessary steps to the resolution of the matter amicably.

“It is our position that the issues that led to the strike are resolvable, should the government prioritise the welfare and rights of the workers to wage employment.

“May we advise therefore that you take the necessary steps towards resolving this empasse by meeting these basic demands of the workers, that are by no stretch of imagination extraneous to their fundamental rights as wage earning employees,” the statement stated.

The statement reminded the governor that the resolve to embark on the industrial action was a general resolution of both unions, adding that any overture by the government which is not extended to both unions and resolved officially is unacceptable.

“Please take notice sir, that no person acting individually or otherwise, other than by virtue of the mandate of Nasarawa workers, held in trust through our joint centres acting in concert can hold out to you their ability to resolve the issues.

“Any purported calling off of the strike action made to you is clearly without authority and mandate of either the Nasarawa workers or the Organised Labour which we represent” they maintained.

The statement called on workers in the state to disregard any directive on the purported suspension of the strike action, until such a directive is made pursuant to an amicable resolution of the issues in contention for which the strike was called.

“We are however open to genuine dialogue session with a view to resolving the empasse, provided the government eschews any perceived ploy at divide and rule or intimidation and harassment of committed leaders of the Labour Movement.

We urge the government to utilize transparent channels of communication and reach out to all leaders of Organised Labour in the state.

“We hope that the dire situation of workers of the state will touch your Excellency, to activate the machinery for a quick resolution” they stated.