ASUU, TCN, banks, others join NLC nationwide strike

Some unions have shut their workplaces to comply with the directive of the two labour unions to embark on an indefinite nationwide strike.

On Friday, organised labour announced that they would be commencing a nationwide indefinite strike due to the refusal of the Federal Government to increase the proposed minimum wage from N60,000.

According to the Nigeria Labour Congress President, Joe Ajaero, the strike will begin at midnight on Sunday, June 2, 2024.

In a joint statement delivered by Ajaero and his Trade Union Congress counterpart, Festus Osifo, they expressed their serious concerns and disappointment over the Federal Government’s failure to enact a new National Minimum Wage Act.

They also demanded that the government reverse the increase in electricity tariff to N65/kWh.

Recall that both unions had given an ultimatum of May 31, 2024, for negotiations on the new minimum wage.

However, talks between organised labour and the Federal Government broke down on Tuesday after both parties presented their offers.

The government increased its initial offer of N57,000 by adding N3,000 to make it N60,000.

This proposal was rejected by labour during the meeting.

During negotiations at this meeting, labour also lowered their demand from last week’s proposal of N497,000 by removing N3,00 which reduced their new proposal to N494,000.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities in a statement addressed to the branch chairpersons and zonal coordinators of ASUU on Monday, the association’s President, Emmanuel Osodeke, directed lecturers in universities across the country to join the strike as an affiliate of the congress.

The statement read, “The NLC has declared an indefinite strike action beginning from Monday, 3rd June 2024, as a result of the failure of Government to conclude the renegotiation of minimum wage for Nigerian workers and reversal of hike in electricity tariff.

On Sunday, Aviation unions directed its members to withdraw services across airports in Nigeria.

The unions include the National Union of Air Transport Employees, the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, the Association of Nigerian Aviation Professionals, and the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers.

Punch