365NEWS gathered that 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, the organised labour announced that they will 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 President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, 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 finalise and pass a new National Minimum Wage Act into law.
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.
The union stated, “In compliance with the directive from the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria—we hereby inform the general public, aviation service providers, airline operators, aviation businesses, and all aviation workers nationwide that starting from 0000hrs of June 3, 2024, all services at all Nigerian airports shall be fully withdrawn till further notice.”
The unions decided after an emergency meeting held on Sunday.
Below are the unions that have joined the strike:
1. The Academic Staff Union of Universities.
2. Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria.
3. The 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. The Nigeria Union of Teachers.
8. National Associations 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.
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.
32. The Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria.
Meanwhile, Patients at the Kubwa General Hospital have been left stranded as medical personnel have declined to attend to them in keeping with the enforced strike by the Nigeria Labour Congress.
While the gates of the hospital were opened, The pUNCH correspondent observed a couple of nurses who packed up their bags to leave, although it could not be confirmed if it was simply the end of their shift.
A hospital staff at the Radiology Unit, informed patients who came for scans, that the hospital would not be attending to patients, as a result of the strike.
“We are not attending to patients today, because of the strike”, she told the patients.
A patient at the Pharmacy unit of the Accident and Emergency Wards, who did not give her name, lamented that she had made payments, but was declined the medication, and a refund of her money, as the unit had closed because of the strike.
“They collected money and refused to give us the drugs. Even the medicine too. If they knew they wouldn’t attend to anyone because of the strike, why did they open?” she said.
While the Post-Natal ward and Laboratory Units seemed to be operating per usual, our correspondent gathered that the hospital staff were attempting to attend to as many patients as possible, before the Labour unions would arrive to enforce the strike
