NLC Resumes Strike In Abia State | READ FULL DETAILS
Two months after suspending it’s proposed indefinite strike over backlog of salaries, and pensions in Abia State, the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), is set to resume an industrial action.
According to a statement signed by the NLC Chairman, Abia state chapter, Comrade Emma Alozie, the indefinite strike will resume midnight, Monday May 8, 2023 as agreed by leaders of the Congress during their meeting last week.
NLC ordered all industrial unions, including those in the local government areas to withdraw their services to the Abia State government after midnight of Monday, May 8, and mobilize their members for the indefinite strike.
The statement titled; “To all industrial unions; resumption of indefinite strike” read in part;
The State Executive Council, SEC, of Congress after a careful deliberation on the plethora of problems Abia workers and pensioners are facing in the hands of Abia State government, at her meeting on Friday, 5th May 2023, unanimously resolved to resume the suspended indefinite strike action.
“From the foregoing, all Abia workers, including those in the LGAs are directed to withdraw their services to Abia State government and stay at home from 12 midnight on Monday, 8th May 2023.
“In the same vein, all chairpersons and secretaries of all affiliate unions are to sensitize and mobilize their members for total compliance”.
Recall that the NLC had on February 28, 2023 embarked on an indefinite strike which was called off after three days as it reached an agreement with the state government led by Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu on how to settle the grievances of the workers.
NLC had signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the state government represented by Secretary to State Government (SSG) Barrister Chris Ezem; Head of Service, Sir Onyii Wamah.
The workers grievance include;
” 23 months salary arrears for staff of ABSUTH; HMB – 13 months; secondary school teachers – 11 months; primary school teachers- three months; pensioners – 30 months; and Abia Polytechnic staff – 30 months.
” 29 months of arrears for workers in Abia State College of Education; workers in Abia College of Health Sciences – five months; and unpaid pension from January to November 2019 – 11 months”; among others.
Similarly, the ‘core civil servants’ in Abia state, are yet to receive their salaries since March 2023.
