Organised labour in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has been divided over the indefinite strike declared by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) FCT Council, with some unions rejecting the action while others have expressed support.

The NLC had on Wednesday directed workers in the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), including those in the private sector, to embark on an indefinite strike over unresolved disputes between the FCTA and the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT).

However, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) has directed its members to disregard the strike and report for work, while the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) has declared its support for the industrial action.

In a notice issued on Friday and signed by the TUC FCT Secretary, Sunday Joseph, the congress rejected the strike directive, saying it was announced without proper consultation.

The TUC stated that neither its FCT Council nor its affiliated unions participated in the discussions that led to the decision.

“The directive was issued without any consultation with the TUC FCT Council or any of its affiliates in the FCT. We didn’t take part in the meeting that produced it.

“Accordingly, the TUC FCT Council is not a party to the said industrial action,” the statement read.

The congress called for a more strategic approach to addressing workers’ welfare, particularly issues affecting teachers and children’s education.

It directed its affiliated unions and members to continue their normal duties and ignore what it described as unauthorised strike orders and enforcement committees.

“All affiliated unions and workers are urged to carry out their normal duties without fear. Members should ignore non-sanctioned orders, including unauthorised enforcement committees.

“Any harassment or intimidation should be reported to the TUC Secretariat immediately,” it added.

The TUC reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the interests of teachers and other workers but warned against actions that could disrupt children’s education and jeopardise their future.

Similarly, the Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS) had earlier distanced itself from the strike.

The union’s FCT Chairman, Julius Ogundiran, in a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday, directed secondary school teachers and education officers to resume their normal academic duties.

In contrast, NULGE declared its support for the strike and directed its members across the FCT’s six Area Councils to join the industrial action from Friday.

The directive was contained in a solidarity notice issued by the NULGE FCT Council and signed by its State Secretary, Ayendi Agede.

FCT Strike: TUC Rejects NLC Directive as NULGE Backs Action

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