Gbenro Adesina
Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and others, have vowed to proceed on the planned industrial action over the hike in the cost of petrol and electricity tariff on Monday, September 28, 2020.
The groups, despite two court orders restricting them from them, have continued to mobilize their affiliate unions and the civil society groups for the planned industrial action.
The National Industrial Court had given two separate orders restraining the workers from proceeding on the industrial action pending the hearing and determination of the suite filed by the Federal Government. While an ex parte order granted on Thursday was still pending, the court gave a fresh order yesterday, to drive home its point against the proposed action.
But the President of the NLC, Ayuba Wabba, said he was not served with any court order and that he is not answerable to the group that filed the court process.
He asked, “How does that (injunction) affect me if I have not been served? Have I been served? Are they our employers? What relationship do I have with any group?”
Meanwhile, some state chapters of the NLC, TUC and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association (PENGASSAN) had begun mobilisation of their members for industrial action.
The meeting between the labour leaders and representatives of the government had ended in a deadlock, which warranted the labour unions proceeding on the nationwide protest.
PENGASSAN, which declared its decision to join the strike via a circular tagged ‘Call to Action’, ordered withdrawal of oil services nationwide. The circular issued by its National General Secretary, Lumumba Ighotemu Okugbawa, and addressed to all branch chairmen and secretaries, advised all chapters “to mobilise members to participate in the strike”.
Four aviation unions have also backed the Organised Labour nationwide strike expected to commence on Monday. The unions asked their members to withdraw services from all aerodromes nationwide indefinitely. With this, airspace may not be open for operations from Monday.
The four aviation unions joining the strike are the National Union of Air Transport Employees, National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers, Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria and the Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals.
A statement from the unions on Friday read, “As you are aware, the NLC and TUC have declared indefinite nationwide strike action with effect from Monday, September 28, 2020.
“Our unions as above named are in full support of the strike action.
“As such all workers in the aviation sector are hereby directed to withdraw their services at all aerodromes nationwide as from 00hrs of 28th September 2020 until otherwise communicated by the NLC/TUC or our unions. All workers shall comply.”
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has warned civil servants against joining the proposed strike action, saying the Federal Government team is currently engaging with the Labour Unions with a view to resolving all contentious issues and avert the planned industrial action.
A statement issued by the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan, says that there was a court injunction granted by the National Industrial Court on September 24, 2020 restraining the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria from embarking on any industrial action pending the hearing and determination of a Motion on Notice.
Accordingly, all officers on Grade Level 12 and above and those on essential services were strongly advised to be at work to perform their official duties.
The statement enjoined Permanent Secretaries and Chief Executive Officers to bring the contents of this circular to the attention of all concerned officers and ensure strict compliance.
The statement read: “Sequel to the call by the Labour Unions for workers to embark on industrial action from Monday, 28th September, 2020, the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF), wishes to inform all public servants that the Federal Government team is currently engaging with the Labour Unions with a view to resolving all contentious issues and avert the planned industrial action.
“Furthermore, it is important to note that there is a court injunction granted by the National Industrial Court (Suit No. NICN/ABJ/253/2020) on 24th September, 2020 restraining the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria from embarking on any form of industrial action pending the hearing and determination of a Motion on Notice.
“Accordingly, all officers on Grade Level 12 and above and those on essential services are hereby strongly advised to be at work to perform their official duties”.
