The organized labor movement in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has experienced a sharp division following conflicting directives from union leaders regarding an indefinite strike declared by the FCT Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
On Wednesday, the FCT NLC instructed all Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) personnel, as well as private-sector workers across the territory, to commence an immediate, indefinite industrial action. The strike stems from unresolved labor disputes between the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) and the FCTA administration.
However, the directive has drawn mixed responses across the labor force. While the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) has declared full support for the action, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) advised its members to disregard the strike order and report to their respective duty posts.
The Trade Union Congress (TUC) formally rejected the strike directive and distanced itself from the industrial action in a notification signed Friday by its Federal Capital Territory Secretary, Mr. Sunday Joseph.
The congress cited a complete lack of inter-union consultation, emphasizing that the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) had declared the indefinite strike unilaterally without engaging in joint collective bargaining or multi-union negotiations.
“The directive was issued without any consultation with the TUC FCT Council or any of its affiliates in the FCT. We didn’t take part in the meeting that produced it.
“Accordingly, the TUC FCT Council is not a party to the said industrial action,” it said.
TUC reaffirmed its dedication to the well-being of educators and staff, but warned against actions that interfere with children’s education and access to a promising future.
Backstory…
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) issued a two-week ultimatum to the Federal Government, demanding an immediate reduction in oil prices and the initiation of negotiations for a new minimum wage.
The directive was contained in a communiqué signed by NLC President Joe Ajaero following a joint meeting of the National Executive Council (NEC) and Central Working Committee (CWC) on Thursday in Abuja.
During the meeting, the union evaluated the current socio-economic climate, citing severe financial hardship, escalating living costs, and what it described as existential threats confronting workers and the broader public.
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