The organised labour movement in the Federal Capital Territory has been thrown into sharp division as unions expressed divergent views over the indefinite strike declared by the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, FCT Council.
The NLC had on Wednesday directed workers in the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, including those in the private sector, to begin an indefinite strike on Wednesday.
The strike was over unresolved disputes between the FCTA and the Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT.
However, while the Trade Union Congress, TUC, had instructed its members to ignore the strike and report for work, the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE, threw its full weight behind the action.
TUC in a notice, signed by the Secretary in FCT, Mr Sunday Joseph on Friday, rejected the directive and distanced itself from the strike, citing lack of consultation.
The congress stressed that the NLC declared the strike unilaterally without engaging in joint union discussions.
“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.
It advocated a more proactive and strategic approach, particularly when dealing with matters affecting workers’ welfare and children’s education and directed all members to report to work.
“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.
“Any harassment or intimidation should be reported to the TUC Secretariat immediately,” the congress said.
TUC reiterated its commitment to the welfare of teachers and workers, but cautioned against measures that disrupt children’s learning and access to a bright future.
Similarly, the Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools had on Wednesday distanced itself from the Strike.
Chairman of the union in FCT, Mr Julius Ogundiran, in a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday, directed secondary school teachers and education officers to report for normal academic duties.
But in stark contrast, the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE, had to direct its members to down tools.
In a notice of solidarity to FCT teachers, issued by the NULGE FCT Council and signed by State Secretary, Mr Ayendi Agede, the union directed all its workers across the six Area Councils to join the strike from Friday.
Confusion as FCT labour unions split over strike, TUC pulls out