Workers of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) under the Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC) on Thursday resumed their indefinite strike, which began on January 19, over unresolved welfare issues.
Only a few staff were present at FCTA Secretariats, Departments, and Agencies on Thursday, in line with the JUAC directive for workers to stay at home.
The resumption follows JUAC’s appeal of a National Industrial Court ruling on January 27, which had directed workers to suspend the strike and adjourned the matter to March 23. The union filed the appeal through its lead counsel, Femi Falana, SAN.
Following the court ruling, Mrs. Nancy Nathan, acting Head of the Civil Service of the FCTA, had ordered all workers to resume work on Wednesday, while FCT Minister Nyesom Wike warned that there would be consequences for noncompliance. Wike also stated that the FCTA was open to reasonable negotiation, noting that the majority of workers’ demands had already been addressed.
However, with the appeal of the court’s decision, JUAC Secretary Abdullahi Saleh, in a circular on Wednesday, instructed workers to continue the strike from Thursday. He urged members to remain united, disciplined, and committed to the cause, and to pray for the success of the strike.
The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC), in a joint communique on January 28, backed the FCT workers, urging them to defend their rights with courage and dignity. They argued that the interlocutory injunction obtained by Wike and the FCTA targeted JUAC leaders—Mrs. Rifkatu Iortyer and Abdullahi Saleh—not the trade unions themselves.
In the communique, signed by NLC Acting General Secretary Benson Upah and TUC Secretary General Nuhu Toro, the unions affirmed that the strike will continue until meaningful negotiations take place with Minister Wike.
Elijah Adeyemi
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