Several unions have closed their workplaces in compliance with the directive from two major labour unions to begin an indefinite nationwide strike.
On Friday, organized labour announced the commencement of an indefinite strike due to the Federal Government’s refusal to raise the proposed minimum wage above ₦60,000. The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, stated that the strike would begin at midnight on Sunday, June 2, 2024.
In a joint statement, Ajaero and his Trade Union Congress (TUC) counterpart, Festus Osifo, expressed deep concerns and disappointment over the Federal Government’s failure to finalize and enact a new National Minimum Wage Act.They also demanded a reversal of the electricity tariff increase to ₦65/kWh.
The unions had given a deadline of May 31, 2024, for negotiations on the new minimum wage. However, talks between organized labour and the Federal Government broke down on Tuesday after both parties presented their proposals.The government increased its initial offer from ₦57,000 to ₦60,000, but this proposal was rejected by labour. Labour unions also adjusted their demand from ₦497,000 to ₦494,000.
In a statement addressed to its members, the President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Emmanuel Osodeke, directed university lecturers nationwide to join the strike as an affiliate of the NLC.The statement read, “The NLC has declared an indefinite strike beginning on Monday, June 3, 2024, due to the government’s failure to conclude the renegotiation of the minimum wage for Nigerian workers and the reversal of the electricity tariff hike.”
On Sunday, aviation unions instructed their members to withdraw services at airports across Nigeria. These 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.The unions announced, “In compliance with the NLC and TUC directive, all aviation services at Nigerian airports will be withdrawn starting from 0000hrs of June 3, 2024, until further notice.” The decision was made following an emergency meeting held on Sunday.
Here are the unions participating in the strike:
1. Academic Staff Union of Universities
2. Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria
3. National Union of Electricity Employees
4. National Union of Banks, Insurance, and Financial Institutions Employees
5. Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria
6. Joint Union Action Committee
7. Nigeria Union of Teachers
8. National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives
9. Joint Health Sector Unions
10. Amalgamated Union of Public Corporation, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees
11. National Union of Civil Engineering, Construction, Furniture, and Wood Workers
12. Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria
13. National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers
14. Nigeria Union of Railway Workers
15. Nigeria Civil Service Union
16. Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals
17. Academic Staff Union of Colleges of Agriculture
18. Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities
19. Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government-Owned Companies
20. Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria
21. Nigerian Union of Journalists
22. Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Polytechnic
23. National Union of Food, Beverage and Tobacco Employees
24. Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees
25. Iron and Steel Senior Staff Association of Nigeria
26. National Union of Air Transport Employees
27. Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria
28. National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers
29. National Union of Postal and Telecommunication Employees
30. Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria
31. Senior Staff Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes and Associated Institutions
