Looming Nationwide Strike As Labour Set To Join ASUU

The United Labour Congress has threatened to embark on an indefinite nationwide strike if the Federal Government fails to meet its demands by Friday (tomorrow).

The threat follows an emergency meeting of its National Administrative Committee, and the National Strike Committee on Wednesday, in Lagos.

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They were reacting to a response by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employmen, in which the Union accused the government of failing to “address the critical issues raised in our demands.

“The strike will be very effective as we hope to cripple all modes of transportation within the nation; ensure a total blackout nationwide; cut off petroleum product supplies; and disrupt banking operations, which will make life a bit more difficult for Nigerian,” a statement issued by its President, ULC, Joe Ajaero, reads.

“We regret these consequences on all of us, but we hope that these measures will help us create a nation that is better governed for the benefits of Nigerian workers and Nigerian masses.”

Ajaero said that the strike had become necessary having earlier issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government as a result of the decision of the Central Working Committee meeting of the congress on August 22, which expired on September 8, 2017.

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He said the government’s rejection of their demands, will force the ULC to immediately issue a seven-day final strike notice, from Friday.

He added, “This course of action, though very painful to us at this time, is the only alternative available to us as we have exhausted all known peaceful processes towards an amicable resolution of the dispute.

“We, therefore, call on all genuine patriots to join hands in solidarity with us to urge the Federal Government and state governors to be kind enough to meet the demands of Nigerian workers and masses,” he added.

The demands of the union according to the statement, include the immediate payment of all arrears of salaries owed workers at all levels of government without exception.

Also, that “the Federal Government honours its 2009 agreement with university lecturers under the umbrella of ASUU quickly and commences negotiations with them on new issues so that our universities will re-open.

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“The roads leading to all the petroleum refineries and depots nationwide be repaired by the government to avoid the present carnage, wastage of products and properties on these roads.

“That the government should demand that the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment set up a task force immediately to carry out factory inspections as most of our factories are death traps.”

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