TheNewsGuru

Tag: Strike

  • Strike: How FG’s meeting with NLC ended

    Strike: How FG’s meeting with NLC ended

    The meeting between the Federal Government and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to avert an imminent strike action ended without any concrete resolution on Monday.

    The Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong; and Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha met with the NLC President, Joe Ajaero and other leaders in Abuja in an effort to stop organised labour from embarking on another industrial action.

    The impasse followed Lalong’s invitation to the NLC for a meeting in light of the union’s planned nationwide strike owing to the removal of fuel subsidies and the hardship in the country.

    Earlier, the minister invited the NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) for talks to avert the two-day strike held between September 5 and 6.

    However, “only the TUC showed up for the meeting,” the ministry added.

    Addressing Labour’s demands during Monday’s meeting, Lalong promised to partner with organised labour to address the demands of the labour unions in a just and balanced way.

    He appealed to the labour leaders to be realistic and frank in the discussions.

    The minister also expressed optimism that the meeting would lead to a resolution that is of national interest.

    In his response, NLC President Joe Ajaero said his team was in the meeting with mixed feelings, to find out whether “something will happen or not,” as many similar meetings in the past had failed to yield a positive response.

    He further noted that the past strikes that the minister referred to were a result of the frustration Nigerian workers faced due to the effects of the hardship occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidies.

    According to him, not one of the agreements with the Federal Government was addressed despite a series of meetings that were held.

    Ajaero also vehemently condemned the invasion of the office of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), with some of its leaders arrested and detained.

  • Proposed indefinite strike: Again, FG invites NLC

    Proposed indefinite strike: Again, FG invites NLC

    The Federal Government has again invited the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) for another meeting over its planned indefinite strike.

    This is contained in a statement issued by Mr Simon Lalong, the Minister of Labour and Employment.

    Recall Lalong had on September 4 invited NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) for a meeting to avert the earlier two-day nationwide warning strike.

    Only the TUC showed up for the meeting.

    Lalong said that he had directed the Department of Trade Unions Services and Industrial Relations to convene the meeting with the leadership of the NLC  on Monday.

    He said it was important for the unions to sit with government to resolve all pending matters to avert further disruption to the economy.

    “The administration of President Bola Tinubu will always engage the organised labour and respond to its concerns after due consultation and negotiations.

    “This is in order to guarantee industrial harmony which is critical to the attainment of the Renewed Hope Agenda,” Lalong said.

    Also, the NLC National Executive Council had on Sept. 1, in a communique threatened to embark on an indefinite strike within 21 days of the issueance of the communique.

    The NLC demanded that the minimum wage of workers be increased to N200,000 among other demands.

  • Strike: No hope in sight for primary school pupils in Abuja

    Strike: No hope in sight for primary school pupils in Abuja

    The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), says the demands of the striking primary school teachers in the FCT are not feasible.

    Alhaji Abubakar Abdullahi, the National Chairman of the association and Chairman, Abaji Area Council, FCT, stated this in an interview on Wednesday in Abuja.

    Recall the FCT Wing of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) in a communique had directed all primary school teachers in the FCT to begin an indefinite strike.

    The strike action, according to the communique, followed the failure of the six Area Councils’ Chairmen to pay the teachers’ 40 per cent peculiar and other outstanding allowances.

    The communique was jointly signed by Mr Stephen Knabayi, Ms Margaret Jethro and Mr Haruna Samson, Chairman, Secretary and Publicity Secretary, respectively.

    The teachers claimed that they had earlier given the six Area councils’ chairmen a seven-day ultimatum to pay the 40 per cent peculiar and other allowances owed them.

    They alleged that throughout the period of the ultimatum, the area council chairmen neither acknowledged receipt of the letters nor invited the union for dialogue nor attended to any of their concerns.

    The concerns of the teachers include; non-payment of 25 months arrears of the 2019 approved national minimum wage, non release of some promotion letters to beneficiaries and non implementation of released promotion letters.

    Other issues are; non payment of promotion arrears, non-upgrading of concerned teachers, non implementation of salaries for upgraded teachers and non implementation of annual salary increments in some councils.

    There is also the issue of non compliance with the agreement on payments of the backlog of teachers’ entitlement amongst others.

    They explained that the strike was their last option having exhausted all available avenues to get their demands met.

    Reacting to the development, Abdullahi told NAN that what the teachers requests were not feasible, adding that contrary to their claims, he had met with the NUT leadership on Saturday and Sunday.

    “I met with the NUT leadership twice. I met with the Chairman on Saturday evening and asked him to arrange a meeting with his members of the Executives which I attended in their Head Office at Gwagwalada.

    “I pleaded with them, and we are still pleading with them to reconsider their action.  What they are requesting is not feasible,” he said.

    The chairman stressed the need to join hands with the leadership of the NUT to approach the Minister of the FCT, Mr Nyesom Wike for help.

    “He just resumed office. We appealed to them to give him at least three months to settle down so that we can approach him with their complaints, but they insisted they have to go on with the strike.

    “So, we have no option than to wait for the minister to call on us so we can explain things to him,” Abdullahi said.

    When contacted on the matter, Dr Hassan Sule, Director, FCT Universal Basic Education Board, said that the board had not been officially communicated by the NUT that they would embark on an indefinite strike.

    Sule, who described education as “fundamental” said: “I have not received any official communication from NUT that they are going to embark on strike.

    “When I heard that the primary section did not resume on Monday, I had to call the Chairman of the ALGON and the NUT chairman.

    “I think they have a little misunderstanding. Normally if there is going to be a strike, there must be grievances, and there must be communication.

    “I cannot say it is a strike because they didn’t write to us that they are going to commence a strike. I have not seen any circular. It is just a communication between NUT and ALGON chairman.”

    The director, however, said that he had met with the NUT leadership and the ALGON chairman over the issue and they assured him that the difference would be resolved.

    He reiterated the board’s commitment to ensure that the issues were resolved, stressing, “keeping the children at home is more dangerous.”

  • BBNaija All Stars: Mercy Eke two strikes away from disqualification

    BBNaija All Stars: Mercy Eke two strikes away from disqualification

    Big Brother Naija All Star housemate, Mercy Eke has been issued a strike for breaking the house rules during the week.

    She was caught whispering  and committing microphone infringements.

    According to Biggie, if she receives two more strikes, she will be disqualified.

    He said, “The clip you just watched was taken 48 hours ago. You have been found guilty of breaking the house rule on communication, despite the final warning to the housemates yesterday.

    “You are hereby issued a strike, two more strikes and you will be disqualified.”
    Any housemate wgo receives three strikes will be automatically disqualified from the show.
  • AEDC explains reason for throwing Abuja into darkness

    AEDC explains reason for throwing Abuja into darkness

    The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) has explained the reason behind the current blackout being suffered in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and all of its franchise areas.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports AEDC attributes the power outage to the two-day warning strike of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

    Recall that NLC in a communique at the end of its National Executive Council said it would commence a two-day nationwide warning strike from Sept. 5 to Sept. 6. The strike has grounded activities in the country.

    The management of AEDC in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday disclosed that engagements with key stakeholders are ongoing toward minimising the impact of the strike.

    ”We are aware of the general power outage being experienced across our franchise,  this is due to enforcement  of the two-day warning strike embarked upon by the labour union.

    ”We apologise for any inconvenience you may be experiencing as a result of this, as we continue our engagement with key stakeholders toward minimising the impact of the strike on our customers,” it stated.

    AEDC urge their customers to take necessary precautions to manage the outage effectively.

    The company advised its customer to unplug sensitive electronic devices and appliances from power sources pending the restoration of power.

    ”We will continue to provide updates on developments regarding the impact of the strike action on our operations through our official social media handles.

    ”Thank you for your understanding and continued support during this challenging time. We remain committed to serve you,” it said.

  • NLC President rates first day of warning strike

    NLC President rates first day of warning strike

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has commended Nigerians for the massive support and efforts in ensuring that the first day warning strike called by the Congress was successful nationwide.

    Mr Joe Ajaero, NLC President said this in a statement titled, “Our Two-Day Nationwide Warning Strike: Frist Day of Success”, on Tuesday in Abuja.

    It would be recall that the NLC in a communique issued at the end of its National Executive Council (NLC) said it would commence a two-day nationwide warning strike from Sept. 5 to Sept. 6.

    The NLC also threatened to embark on indefinite nationwide strike within 14 working days or 21 days from when the communique was issued.

    It also said this was until steps were taken by the government to address the excruciating mass suffering and impoverishment being experienced due to the removal of subsidy.

    According to Ajaero, this is to applaud all Nigerian workers through the actions of all our affiliates and State Councils.

    “This is for the massive support and efforts at ensuring that the first day of the nationwide warning strike took off with a resounding success across the nation.

    “You have all demonstrated that your words and decisions will always be backed by action.

    “This has resonated in every part of the country today and we are sure that the message has been sent to those who doubt our determination to push through with our objectives,”he said.

    He added that, we are glad to inform you that all of our objectives for the first day were fully met.

    He said this was due to the high level of compliance experienced as a result of all collective efforts around the federation.

    The NLC president therefore, commended all for their commitment towards ensuring that the reasons for the warning strike were fulfilled at the time.

    “We however urge you all to continue with the same zeal and determination which saw the huge success that was recorded today.

    “This is as we move to the second and final day of the nationwide strike to ensure a complete success of the entire exercise.

    “While thanking all Nigerian workers and indeed the masses for their understanding as we go through this trying time,”he said.

    He however, called for more efforts and urged all to join hands to ensure that all loopholes observed during the first day action were plugged.

    He added that, so that tomorrow’s action would be a total success.

    “It is our civic duty to ensure that we are governed effectively and that those in government remain accountable to the people at all times!

    “We are committed to that and with your continued support, our nation will surely become a better place for all of us,”he said.

  • Kano at a standstill as banks, offices, power sectors shut down over strike

    Kano at a standstill as banks, offices, power sectors shut down over strike

     

    The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Kano State chapter has joined the nationwide warning strike with the shutting down of government offices and other critical sectors.

    It was gathered that as early as 5 a.m. on Tuesday morning, the labour union were on ground to carry out enforcement.

    The State Vice Chairman of the union, Ado Riruwai who led the enforcement exercise, told Vanguard that it has shut down all government offices in the state.

    Riruwai, who doubles as the Chairman, Private Sector Unions in the state, also said all power sector and banks were under key.

    He further said that they were proceeding to the airport to ensure no flight took off from the airport.

    According to him, “we have shut down all power sector. Banks are not operating. We heard a flight took off this morning from the airport, we are heading down there to ensure no flight take off from the airport.

    “All government offices were under key and lock,” Riruwai stated.

    Among facilities shut down include, the Kano Electric Distribution Company, KEDCO head office.

    Recall that the NLC had given notice to embark on the two-day warning strike to protest the excruciating mass suffering and impoverishment experienced around the country, occassioned by the fuel subsidy removal.

  • Subsidy removal: Again, NLC embarks on nationwide strike today as PEPT delivers judgement on Wednesday

    Subsidy removal: Again, NLC embarks on nationwide strike today as PEPT delivers judgement on Wednesday

    …banks, insurance firms, fed bodies, Telecos others to shut down

    The Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC and organized labour will today begin a two-day warning strike to drive home their demands over President Bola Tinubu’s bitter economic policies that has further improvised Nigerians.

    This is just as the PEPT formally announced that verdict would be delivered on the last presidential election petitions filed by major opposition parties in Nigeria, the Labour Party and Peoples Democratic Party.

    TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) recalls President Tinubu had declared during his inauguration last May that fuel subsidy has gone forever.

    To give his declaration teeth to bite the pump price of fuel the major source of energy in Nigeria was increased.

    This development has led to untold hardships across Nigeria permanently eradicating the middle class in Nigeria.

    Prices of goods and services hit the rooftops.

    The NLC had in August gone on a strike but after promises by the Federal Government to make available palliatives to cushion the effects of the harsh economic policy, the strike was suspended.

    Federal Government immediately rolled out palliatives giving each state of the federation N5bn and foodstuffs which amounted to a miserable N1500 per head when the cost of one litre of PMS is N617.

    By last Thursday, the NLC issued a two-day warning strike to register its anger against Tinubu’s government’s lackadaisical attitude towards Nigerians who are still battling with the lacklustre eight-year rule of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

    PEPT suddenly realized that it’s high time the long awaited judgement would be delivered during the two-day warning strike.

    The Appeal Court venue of the PEPT has warned its workers to stay away from office on Wednesday as only accredited people would gain entrance into the venue.

    The Chief Registrar of the Court, Oluwaleye Oluwasegun David, in a memo on Monday informed the staff that only those with tags would be allowed entry into the court premises.

    The memo said the measure was taken to “create a conducive and peaceful atmosphere” for the special sitting of the Presidential Election Tribunal.

    The tribunal is hearing petitions filed by Peter Obi of the Labour Party, Atiku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic Party, and the Allied Peoples Movement, challenging Tinubu’s victory in the February 2023 presidential election.

    The memo said: “In view of the above, very strong security apparatus have been arranged to man the entrance of the Court and also in all strategic areas of the Court Complex.

    “In addition, only staff with tags provided by the Management will be allow into the Court premises. Please be informed as instructed.”

    The first strike which was for just 24hours sent a strong signal and that of today is expected to be stronger because the pangs of hunger is not making Nigerians to smile.

  • NLC Strike: FG appeals for 2 weeks to finalise on demands

    NLC Strike: FG appeals for 2 weeks to finalise on demands

    The Federal Government has appealed for a period of two weeks to finalised on organised labour demands.

    Mr Simon Lalong said this while addressing newsmen at end of a closed door meeting with the Trade Union Congress(TUC) on Monday in Abuja.

    Lalong said the meeting was called to avert the proposed nationwide warning strike by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

    It would be recall that the NLC had said that it would embarked on a two-day nationwide warning strike from Sept. 5 to Sept. 6 over hardship faced the masses due to the removal of fuel subsidy.

    According to reports, the NLC were absent at the meeting called by the minister.

    The Federal Government had earlier appealed to NLC to suspend proposed 2-days warning nationwide strike.

    Also, the TUC in a communique had said the need to embark on strike had not arisen but would allow conversation with government to address grey areas.

    According to Lalong, goverbnment bis going to address those issues within the period of two weeks and come back for further discussion.

    “Some of the issues we discussed are those that are very urgent. There are some that will require a long span of time. This was the basis of our discussion.

    “We agreed that there should be no strike within the two-week period while we are doing our deliberations and working towards realising some of these objectives,” he said.

    Also, Mr Festus Osifo, the President of TUC, said some of the issues requiring urgent attention included implementation of palliatives and wage award.

    He said others are tax exemptions and allowances to public sector workers; modalities for N70 billion Small and Medium Enterprises and RTEAN crisis.

    “In the palliatives that were rolled out we have not seen anything put in place for federal workers.

    “We need a wage award. The palliatives rolled out by the government are not far-reaching. We believe that the government can do much more,” he said.

    Osifo also said that the TUC leadership would continue to engage with the federal government to ensure that its demands are addressed.

  • FG begs NLC to suspend proposed nationwide strike

    FG begs NLC to suspend proposed nationwide strike

    The Federal Government has appealed to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to suspend its proposed 2-day nationwide warning strike over economic hardship.

    The Minister of Labour and Employment, Mr Simon Lalong, made the call at a news conference on Monday in Abuja.

    Recall that the NLC in a communique issued at the end of its National Executive Council (NLC) said it would commence a 2-day nationwide warning strike from Sept. 5 to Sept. 6.

    The NLC also threatened to embark on indefinite nationwide strike within 14 working days or 21 days from when the communique was issued unless the Federal Government addressed the excruciating suffering of Nigerians.

    Lalong said that the appeal had become necessary in order to ensure robust line of communication with Nigerians and in particular the organised labour to forestall a breakdown of industrial peace.

    He noted that the planned industrial action would no doubt reverse some of the gains already made by the administration.

    According to him, in this context, it has become pertinent to appeal to the leadership of the NLC to suspend its intended two days warning strike.

    “As such action would be detrimental to the gains already being recorded on our course to securing a greater future for Nigerian workers and citizens at large.

    “Furthermore, I would request that the Comrade Leadership of the NLC gives this government some time to settle and address the issues on the ground holistically.

    “It should be realised that the Cabinet of this administration was only recently sworn in by Mr President and all cabinet members have hit the ground running by receiving briefings from their MDAs.

    “Therefore, the issues raised by the leadership of the NLC are some issues that I and the Minister of State for Labour and Employment are being briefed upon,” he said.

    The minister however reassured Nigerian workers that this government would never take them for granted nor fail to appreciate their support and understanding.

    He also said that this administration would continue to pursue policies aimed at massive employment generation in all sectors of the economy.

    Lalong added that this would enable government look into immediate challenges that have emerged out of its policies, saying “we cannot do this in an atmosphere devoid of industrial peace.

    He also said that as a Minister of Labour and Employment, he was yet to be served official communication of the NLC communiqué, following its NEC meeting as required by law.

    He further urged the NLC to do the needful by following laid down processes for handling such matters since the cabinet was on ground.

    He assured that all the issues raised by the NLC would be looked into one after the other.

    “Allow me to first express my sympathy and that of the government of President Bola Tinubu to Nigerians and in particular the workers.

    “That is over the challenges that have arisen from the removal of petrol subsidy and other policies of the government aimed at renewing hope for the future of our dear nation.

    “In light of these matters, I would like to reiterate my appeal to the leadership of the NLC to suspend the warning strike and subsequent future actions.

    “To allow us to work together to amicably resolve these issues rather than embark on actions that would further worsen the conditions of the citizens of Nigeria,” he said.

    He therefore announced that government would be meeting with the NLC by 3 p.m. on Monday (Sept. 4).