A rift has emerged within the organised labour movement in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) over the ongoing strike declared by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), FCT Council. The strike, which began on Wednesday, was called in response to unresolved disputes between the FCTA and the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT). However, not all labour unions in the FCT are participating in the strike, with some distancing themselves from the action. The Trade Union Congress (TUC) in the FCT, for instance, has instructed its members to ignore the strike and report for work.
The TUC's decision to distance itself from the strike was based on the fact that the NLC declared the strike unilaterally without engaging in joint union discussions. In a notice signed by the TUC secretary in the FCT, Sunday Joseph, the union stated that it was not a party to the industrial action. The TUC advocated for a more proactive and strategic approach to addressing workers' welfare and children's education. The Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools also distanced itself from the strike, with its chairman in the FCT, Mr Julius Ogundiran, directing secondary school teachers and education officers to report for normal academic duties.
On the other hand, the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) has thrown its full weight behind the strike. In a notice of solidarity to FCT teachers, NULGE directed all its workers across the six area councils to join the strike. The union instructed its members, including non-teaching staff of the Local Education Authority, to remain at home until further notice. NULGE called for calm, unity, and discipline in defence of workers' rights and dignity.
In response to the strike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has directed the chairmen of the six area councils to enforce the "no work, no pay" policy against teachers and other civil servants participating in the strike. Wike described the strike as politically motivated and insisted that the issues raised by the organised labour had been addressed and agreed measures were being implemented. He maintained that the FCT Administration had no outstanding dispute with the area councils, local education authorities, or primary schools.
Wike warned that the government would not tolerate what he described as political blackmail. He claimed that some stakeholders in the education sector, including representatives of senior primary school teachers, had rejected the industrial action because they considered it unnecessary. According to Wike, the body of senior primary school teachers said they could not be a party to the strike, citing that all the issues they raised had been agreed upon and were being implemented.
The minister addressed the workers' grievances, stating that the process of resolving promotion-related issues was ongoing, while matters concerning directors were being handled through established administrative procedures. He directed area council chairmen to ensure that teachers and other civil servants returned to their duty posts, warning that salaries would be withheld for periods during which workers participated in the strike.
As a result of the strike, activities across area council secretariats were paralysed, with some councils' main gates under lock. Our reporter observed that only security personnel, including vigilantes, were seen at the Abaji, Kwali, and Gwagwalada councils. All offices were locked, reflecting the impact of the strike on the FCT's administrative activities.
Key points
- The FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has ordered the enforcement of the "no work, no pay" policy against striking teachers and local government workers.
- The Trade Union Congress (TUC) in the FCT has distanced itself from the strike, citing lack of consultation.
- The Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) has directed its members to join the ongoing strike.
