Associate union bodies to the National Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress such as the Academic Staff Union of University (ASUU) and Academic Staff Union Of Polytechnic (ASUP) have joined the nationwide walkout embarked upon by the organised congresses today.
The unions via circulars indicated their compliance with the rule on X on Tuesday morning.
The affiliate bodies include the National Union of Food Beverage and Tobacco Employees, the Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MWUN), the National Union of Electricity Employees, the Nigeria Union of Railway Workers, the National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions Employees (NUBIFIE), the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria, and the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Polytechnics (SSANIP) among others.
Theliberationnews reported that the strike comes on the heels of the alleged physical assault NLC National President Joe Ajaero suffered in Imo State two weeks ago when he led other NLC members on a demonstration over “non-payment of salaries and pensions for 44 months and violation of other labour rights,” in the south-east state.
Following Ajaero’s ordeal, the organised labour called for a nationwide strike beginning today.
However, the National Industrial Court (NIC) restrained them from embarking on the strike action in the wake of the impasse with the Imo State Government.
In spite of the court order, the unions, in a statement on Monday, directed workers nationwide to withdraw their services at midnight.
“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 midnight today, 13th November 2023,” the unions said in a joint statement.
“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 CWC Whatsapp Platforms.”
While assuring members of further updates about the nationwide strike, organised labour urged them to “remain assured of our commitment to Nigerian workers and people”.
