TUC Dissociates From NLC’s Indefinite Strike, Orders Abuja Workers To Report For Duty
ABUJA, NIGERIA — The Trade Union Congress (TUC) Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council has officially rejected the indefinite strike action declared by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) FCT Council, instructing all its affiliate unions and members to report to work as normal.
The NLC had previously issued a communique directing public and private sector workers across Abuja to commence an indefinite strike over a brewing dispute between the FCT Administration (FCTA) and the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT).
However, in a swift counter-directive, the TUC FCT leadership distanced itself entirely from the industrial action, citing a complete lack of collaboration. According to the TUC, the strike directive was issued unilaterally by the NLC without any prior consultation or joint meetings with the TUC Council or its affiliates.
“The TUC FCT is not a party to the said industrial action,” the council stated, emphasizing that critical matters affecting workers’ welfare and children’s education require strategic, proactive dialogue rather than abrupt disruptions to public life.
To ensure the safety and continuity of its workforce, the TUC has issued a four-point directive to its members:
Maintain Normal Operations: All members are expected to go about their daily businesses and report to their respective duty posts without fear.
Resist Coercion: Workers are urged to resist any form of intimidation or forced compliance to join the strike, with instructions to report such incidents to the TUC Secretariat immediately.
Decline Enforcement Requests: Affiliate leaders have been told to ignore any external orders to form “strike enforcement committees.”
Await Official Communication: Members are advised to remain calm and vigilant, taking further directives strictly from the TUC FCT leadership.
While expressing deep concern for the plight of teachers and the standard of education in the capital, the TUC maintained that the dispute is best resolved through established industrial relations channels. The council reiterated its willingness to engage in proper negotiations to safeguard the future of children in the FCT while keeping offices and businesses open.
