The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) and the management of Abuja Continental Hotel are set to meet on October 12 to further dialogue over the unionisation of workers. This follows the intervention of security authorities in the dispute, which has now shifted from confrontation to negotiation. The TUC President, Comrade Festus Osifo, disclosed this while giving an update on the labour centre's recent protest at the hotel in Abuja.
The intervention by the Department of State Services (DSS) and the FCT Commissioner of Police has helped to move the dispute towards dialogue. The FCT Commissioner of Police had summoned the hotel management and made it clear that workers' right to unionise must be respected. This development has established the fundamental issue at stake, with the two sides now expected to return to the negotiating table.
The TUC had earlier picketed the hotel on August 24 over allegations that workers were being denied the right to unionise and engage in collective bargaining. The labour centre accused the hotel management of anti-labour practices and alleged that previous attempts to resolve the matter through dialogue had failed. The protest attracted the presence of police and DSS personnel, while the unions attempted to block access to the hotel.
However, the hotel management rejected TUC's allegations, maintaining that it respected workers' constitutional right to freedom of association and had not prevented employees from exercising that right. The hotel expressed concern over the blockade of its access points and its effect on guests, employees, and other stakeholders.
The planned meeting follows a stalemate in negotiations, with the TUC General Secretary, Dr Nuhu Toro, stating that the labour centre had written to the hotel management on August 4 seeking discussions on the dispute. The hotel management had indicated that it would not be available for discussions until the end of November due to ongoing renovation work.
The TUC leadership is optimistic that the October 12 meeting will bring the dispute to an end. Osifo expressed hope that the hotel management will attend the meeting and work towards resolving all outstanding issues. The development represents a significant change from the position in August, when the dispute escalated into a physical picketing of the hotel.
The TUC had maintained during the protest that it remained open to a peaceful resolution, while the hotel management similarly stated that it preferred dialogue and constructive engagement over confrontation. With the October 12 meeting now fixed, the two sides are expected to engage in meaningful dialogue to resolve the dispute.
Key points
- The TUC and Abuja Continental Hotel management will meet on October 12 to resolve the dispute over workers' unionisation.
- The intervention of security authorities has helped to move the dispute towards dialogue.
- The TUC is optimistic that the meeting will bring the dispute to an end.
