Anambra NLC asks judiciary workers to end strike

The Anambra State chapter of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has asked the state chapter of the Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) to call off its strike.

It also asked JUSUN to sign the agreement already prepared with the state government and call off its lingering strike “in the interest of workers who have been at home since the strike started.”

The state Chairman of NL, Comrade Jerry Nnubia, who addressed journalists yesterday after an emergency meeting in Awka said that the congress was no longer comfortable with the recalcitrant posture of the leadership of JUSUN under whom workers of the state judiciary have abandoned work for months and are now suffering.

Nnubia, surrounded by leaders of affiliate members of NLC, said they participated in negotiation between leadership of JUSUN and the state government and believed that government made genuine offers having offered to pay up arrears of salary and not to intimidate workers as a result of the strike.

It will be recalled that just last week, the chairman of JUSUN, Comrade Mark Ifezue raised fears that government has infiltrated its ranks to destroy the gains of the strike.

Ifezue also claimed that the agreement with government broke down following disagreement on when the workers would receive their unpaid September and October, 2015 salaries.

But, Nnubia said even though the strike was on, government has paid the November salary and has promised to pay December salary soon while scheduling to pay up the arrears in a future date.

The communiqué signed by 11 labour leaders reads in part: “The council appreciates that strike is a legitimate instrument for labour unions to drive home their demands from the management, and, therefore, commends the leadership of JUSUN for the struggle so far.

“The council also appreciates the entire judicial workers in the state for their understanding and patience during these difficult times;

“The state council of NLC as the umbrella body of all affiliate unions in the state, having intervened along side with other good spirited organizations and stakeholders viz-Nigeria Bar Association, State House of Assembly, TUC etc, therefore appeal to the leadership of JUSUN to reconsider their stand and sign the already drawn agreement with the government in the interest of judicial workers in the state and also other citizens languishing in various cells in the state.

“The NLC also urged the government to continue to discharge its responsibilities to the state workforce to ensure continuous industrial harmonious relationship between the government and the state workforce”.

He denied the allegation that the labour leaders were being used by government saying government put the agreement in writing and was ready to abide by it, adding that NLC is opting out of the strike.

He said the issues involved are straightforward and given that an agreement written must be signed before it is abided by, it is in the interest of JUSUN to sign it and relieve its workers of future agony.