By Akinsuroju Olubunmi
Strike: ASUU, TCN, and 30 Others Join NLC Nationwide protest
Some unions have closed their workplaces in response to the directive from the two major labor unions to embark on an indefinite nationwide strike.
On Friday, the organized labor announced they would commence an indefinite nationwide strike due to the Federal Government’s refusal to increase the proposed minimum wage from N60,000.
According to the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero, the strike will begin at midnight on Sunday, June 2, 2024.
In a joint statement delivered by Ajaero and his Trade Union Congress counterpart, Festus Osifo, they expressed their serious concerns and disappointment over the Federal Government’s failure to finalize and pass a new National Minimum Wage Act into law.
They also demanded that the government reverse the increase in the electricity tariff to N65/kWh.
Recall that both unions had given an ultimatum of May 31, 2024, for negotiations on the new minimum wage.
However, talks between organized labor and the Federal Government broke down on Tuesday after both parties presented their offers.
The government increased its initial offer of N57,000 by adding N3,000 to make it N60,000.
This proposal was rejected by labor during the meeting.
During negotiations at this meeting, labor also lowered their demand from last week’s proposal of N497,000 by removing N3,000, which reduced their new proposal to N494,000.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in a statement addressed to the branch chairpersons and zonal coordinators on Monday, directed lecturers in universities across the country to join the strike as an affiliate of the congress.
The statement read, “The NLC has declared an indefinite strike action beginning from Monday, 3rd June 2024, as a result of the failure of Government to conclude the renegotiation of minimum wage for Nigerian workers and reversal of the hike in electricity tariff.”
On Sunday, aviation unions directed their members to withdraw services across airports in Nigeria.
The unions include the National Union of Air Transport Employees, the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, the Association of Nigerian Aviation Professionals, and the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers.
The union stated, “In compliance with the directive from the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria—we hereby inform the general public, aviation service providers, airline operators, aviation businesses, and all aviation workers nationwide that starting from 0000hrs of June 3, 2024, all services at all Nigerian airports shall be fully withdrawn till further notice.”
Reporters learned that the unions made this decision after an emergency meeting held on Sunday.
Below are the unions that have joined the strike:
1. The Academic Staff Union of Universities.
2. Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria.
3. The National Union of Electricity Employees.
4. National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions Employees.
5. Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria.
6. Joint Union Action Committee.
7. The Nigeria Union of Teachers.
8. National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives.
9. Joint Health Sector Unions.
10. Amalgamated Union of Public Corporation, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees.
11. National Union of Civil Engineering, Construction, Furniture and Wood Workers.
12. Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria.
13. National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas.
14. Nigeria Union of Railway Workers.
15. Nigeria Civil Service Union.
16. Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals.
17. Academic Staff Union of Colleges of Agriculture.
18. Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities.
19. Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government-Owned Companies.
20. Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria.
21. Nigerian Union of Journalists.
22. Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Polytechnic.
23. National Union of Food, Beverage and Tobacco Employees.
24. Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees.
25. Iron and Steel Senior Staff Association of Nigeria.
26. National Union of Air Transport Employees.
27. Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria.
28. National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers.
29. National Union of Postal and Telecommunication Employees.
30. Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria.
31. Senior Staff Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes, and Associated Institutions.
32. The Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria.
Strike, Unions.
Strike: ASUU, TCN, and 30 Others Join NLC Nationwide protest