Strike: NLC, TUC Mobilize Affiliates To Shutdown Economy
Success Nwogu
The affiliates of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have directed their members to fully comply with the directives of the labour unions to begin a nationwide strike and peaceful protest from Monday, September 28.
The strike and protests are aimed at forcing the Federal Government to reverse the recent increase in the pump price of petrol and electricity tariff.
Notices sent by the affiliate groups to their members were made available to Insidebusiness.ng on Sunday
The affiliate groups include: National Union of Electricity Employees, Nigeria Union of Railway Workers, Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions, Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees, Nigeria Union of Civil Engineering Construction, Furniture and Wood Workers, and National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives.
Others include National Association of Academic Technologists, Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Polytechnics, Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria, Nigeria Union of Public Service Reportorial, Secretarial, Data Processors and Allied Workers, and Nigeria Union of Journalists.
Also directed to comply with the strike called by the NLC are Radio, Television, Theatre And Arts Workers Union of Nigeria, NLC Katsina State Council, National Union of Printing, Publishing and Paper Products Workers, NLC and TUC, Kogi State Chapter; National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers, Air Transport Service Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals, Medical And Health Workers Union of Nigeria, and Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria.
The Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Polytechnics (SSANIP), in the notice, asked all its branches to mobilize their members for the strike.
It also asked them to collaborate with their state council of NLC for mass protest in the states on September 20 as well as to ensure that all their members withdrew their services indefinitely from September 28.
The General Secretary of National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), Joe Ajaero, in a notice to all members, urged them to ensure total compliance throughout the duration of the strike.
He said, “Apart from the devastating effects, which the electricity tariff increase and increase in pump price of petroleum products, would have on the working people of Nigeria, the effects on the sectorial workers must be urgently addressed.
“You would recall that workers in the sector were allocated 10 per cent share of the privatized utility company, seven years down the line, the various players and government has not made this available despite entreaties made by the union.
“Recall also that, despite about five different tariff increases, the DISCOS, GENCOS and Nigeria Electricity Regulating Commission (NERC) have not considered it necessary to factor in salary increase in the so-called cost reflective and service reflective tariffs, as if staff is not a cost centre in their business transaction, just as the GENCOS have refused to sign condition of service, the worst being Egbin power station.”
He added, “Besides, industry players in this sector in their neo-liberal economic orthodoxy, has refused to consult the union, as a critical stakeholder in the build-up to various policy formulations despite the provision in the NERC rules to consult stakeholders in the sector even before tariff adjustments.
“The workers, by virtue of the 10 percent allocation should be part owners of the companies, regrettably, their interests are not represented in the board and operations of these companies.
“For purpose of clarity, the workers are customers to the electricity companies, hence they deserve to be consulted and their views must matter in the day to day runs of the sector.
“Consequently, our members are expected to participate actively in this action which is expected to liberate them from deliberate enslavement and neglect.”
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