Some unions have in solidarity joined the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and Trade Union Congress, TUC, in the ongoing nationwide strike commenced today, Monday.
The unions as gathered from Punch Online are
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 Associations of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives.
9. Joint Health Sector Unions.
This was disclosed in a statement addressed to the branch chairpersons and zonal coordinators of ASUU President, Emmanuel Osodeke, directing the 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, June 3, 2024, as a result of the failure of the government to conclude the renegotiation of minimum wage for Nigerian workers and reversal of hike in electricity tariff.
“Our branches are hereby enjoined to join in the strike action as an affiliate member of Congress.
“Consequently, branch chairpersons are to mobilise all members to participate in the strike action. Yours in the struggle,” it read.
The Aviation unions on Sunday directed its 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 directive reads:
“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workers nationwide that starting from 0000hrs of June 3, 2024, all services at all Nigerian airports shall be fully withdrawn till further notice.”
National Beam gathered that the unions made the decision after an emergency meeting held on Sunday.
It would be recalled that both NLC and TUC unions had given an ultimatum of May 31, 2024, for negotiations on the new minimum wage.
However, talks between organised labour 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 labour during the meeting.
During negotiations at this meeting, labour also lowered their demand from last week’s proposal of N497,000 by removing N3,00 which reduced their new proposal to N494,000.
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 finalise and pass a new National Minimum Wage Act into law.
They also demanded that the government reverse the increase in electricity tariff to N65/kWh.
The strike began at midnight on Sunday, June 2, 2024.
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