TUC opts out of NLC warning strike tomorrow

The Trade Union Congress, TUC said it will not take part in the nationwide warning strike called by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), scheduled to begin Tuesday.

President of the TUC, Comrade Festus Osifo urged the NLC to intensify dialogue with the government.

“As of today, the need to embark on a nationwide strike hasn’t arisen hence the leadership of congress should intensify the conversation with government so that all grey areas identified could be ironed out within the time frame given”, Osifo said after meeting Labour Minister Simon Lalong.

The NLC declared last week that its members will embark on the warning strike from tomorrow.

In three weeks time, it will then embark on a general strike to protest the rising cost of living, after the government scrapped petrol subsidy that cost the government about $10 billion yearly.

The Unions went on strike a month ago, but suspended their action following an offer of talks with the government, but those talks did not result in concessions sufficient to placate organised labour.

“The federal government has refused to engage and reach agreement with organized labour on the critical issues of the consequences of the unfortunate hike in the price of petrol which has unleashed massive suffering on Nigerian workers and masses,” Union leader Joe Ajaero said.

The NLC rebuffed talks with the new labour minister, Simon Lalong on Monday, as it said it will embark on the warning strike, preparatory for “total and indefinite shutdown of the nation” later in the month.

Ajaero insisted the strike can only be averted whensteps are taken by the government to address the “excruciating mass suffering and impoverishment being experienced around the country”.

Lalong appealed to the NLC to shelve the strike, saying that such action would be detrimental to plans of the government.

“It has become pertinent to appeal to the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to suspend its intended two-day warning strike, as such action would be detrimental to the gains already being recorded on our course to securing a greater future fo Nigerian workers and citizens at large.