The Trade Union Congress has distanced itself from the indefinite strike declared by the Nigeria Labour Congress in the Federal Capital Territory, directing its members to ignore the industrial action and continue their normal duties.
The FCT chapter of the TUC said it was neither consulted nor involved in the decision to embark on the strike over unresolved disputes between the FCT Administration and the Nigeria Union of Teachers.
The union’s position was contained in a statement issued on Friday by its secretary, Sunday Joseph, who said the strike directive was issued without the council’s knowledge or approval.
According to the statement, the TUC FCT Council received a communique dated October 6 from the NLC directing public and private sector workers in the territory to begin an indefinite strike on October 7.
“The directive was issued without any consultation with the TUC FCT Council or any of its affiliates in the FCT. We took no part in the meeting that produced it, and we did not take part in the decision to call a strike,” the statement said.
The TUC consequently declared that it was not a party to the industrial action and instructed its affiliate unions and members to report to work as usual.
It also warned members against intimidation or coercion into participating in the strike, directing them to report any such incidents to the council’s secretariat.
The union further cautioned affiliate leaders against setting up enforcement committees based on directives not authorised by the TUC FCT Council.
While urging workers to remain calm and law-abiding, the council said it would issue further guidance if the situation changed.
The development comes days after the Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools in the FCT also distanced itself from the NLC strike, describing the action as premature and warning that it could disrupt academic activities and affect students.
The NLC had directed workers across the FCT, including those in the private sector, to embark on an indefinite strike following the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum issued to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
The union said the action was prompted by unresolved labour disputes and grievances affecting teachers under the FCT Administration.
Among its demands is the removal of the vacancy requirement for teachers’ promotions, which the NLC says has contributed to career stagnation and low morale.
The labour body is also demanding the withdrawal of redeployment and demotion letters issued to directors in agencies under the FCT education secretariat who are covered by the Harmonised Retirement Age for Teachers Act, 2022.
The TUC’s position adds to the divisions among labour organisations over the strike, with its FCT council insisting that its members should not participate in an action it did not authorise.
