The organised labour movement in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has been divided over an indefinite strike declared by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) FCT Council, with the Trade Union Congress (TUC) rejecting the action while the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) has directed its members to join the industrial action.
The disagreement follows the NLC’s decision to direct workers in the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), including private-sector workers, to embark on an indefinite strike over unresolved disputes between the FCTA and the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT).
While some unions have backed the strike, others have questioned how it was declared, raising concerns about consultation and its potential impact on workers and students, The News Edition reports.
TUC Rejects Strike, Directs Members to Work
The TUC FCT Council has distanced itself from the strike, directing its affiliated unions and members to continue their normal duties.
In a notice signed by its FCT Secretary, Sunday Joseph, on Friday, the congress said it was not consulted before the NLC announced the industrial action.
According to the TUC, the decision was taken unilaterally without discussions involving its council or affiliated unions in the territory.
“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,” the notice stated.
The congress consequently declared that it was not a party to the strike and urged its members to disregard the directive.
“All affiliated unions and workers are urged to carry out their normal duties without fear. Members should ignore non-sanctioned orders, including unauthorised enforcement committees,” it said.
The TUC also advised workers to report any harassment or intimidation to its secretariat.
Although it reaffirmed its commitment to teachers’ and workers’ welfare, the congress cautioned against industrial actions that could disrupt children’s education.
ASUSS Also Distances Itself from Strike
The Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS) had earlier distanced itself from the industrial action.
The union’s FCT Chairman, Julius Ogundiran, made the position known in a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday.
Ogundiran directed secondary school teachers and education officers to report for their regular academic duties, indicating that the union would not participate in the strike.
NULGE Directs Members to Join Strike
In contrast, the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) FCT Council has declared its support for the industrial action.
In a solidarity notice addressed to FCT teachers, the union directed its members across the territory’s six area councils to down tools from Friday.
The notice, signed by the council’s State Secretary, Ayendi Agede, called on local government workers to join the strike in solidarity with teachers.
The opposing positions adopted by the TUC, ASUSS and NULGE highlight the divisions within the FCT labour movement over the NLC’s decision.
As the dispute continues, the level of participation by workers across the FCT is likely to depend on the positions taken by their respective unions, while the underlying disagreement between the FCTA and teachers remains central to the industrial action.