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.
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
