Wike orders no-work-no-pay as FCT unions split over strike

FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has ordered the six area council chairmen to enforce a no-work-no-pay policy against teachers and other workers taking part in the ongoing strike.

The directive comes as labour groups take different positions on the industrial action. The Trade Union Congress has told its members to report for work, while the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees has directed members across the six councils to join the strike.

Wike gave the instruction after an administrative meeting in Abuja on Friday, Daily Trust reported. He described the strike as politically motivated and said agreed measures to address workers’ grievances were being implemented.

The NLC called the strike over teachers’ promotion and career disputes, including the rule linking promotion to vacant positions. NaijaTrend reported the union’s directive here.

In a Friday notice signed by FCT secretary Sunday Joseph, the TUC said it had not been consulted before the NLC declared the action and was not a party to it. It instructed its members to resume work.

NULGE’s FCT secretary, Ayendi Agede, issued a solidarity notice directing local government workers, including non-teaching Local Education Authority staff, to remain at home from Friday until further notice, Daily Trust reported.

ASUSS had separately instructed secondary school teachers and education officers to work on Wednesday. Its position was covered in NaijaTrend’s earlier report here.

Daily Trust’s reporters said they found the main gates of Abaji, Kwali and Gwagwalada council secretariats locked on Friday morning, with only security personnel present.

Sources: Daily Trust, Daily Post