Labour Ignores Ruling, Says Nationwide Strike Must Commence On Monday
By Our Correspondent
The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC have dismissed Thursday ruling of the National Industrial Court restraining them from going on strike schuduled to begin on Monday.
The NLC and the TUC made this known after a meeting between the Federal Government and the workers ended in a deadlock on Thursday evening.
Following the hike in electricity tariffs and fuel pump price, the government and the labour unions had met penultimate Tuesday, but the dialogue ended in a deadlock following the failure of the government to reverse the price increase or offer palliatives to cushion the effects on the workers.
The NLC and TUC subsequently declared a strike and protest scheduled to commence on Monday. Both unions said they would collaborate to execute the industrial action for maximum effect.
The National Executive Council of the NLC comprising the chairpersons of the 36 state chapters and the Federal Capital Territory on Tuesday endorsed the decision earlier taken by the Central Working Committee of the Congress on the strike last Wednesday.
But the National Industrial Court on Thursday granted an interim injunction restraining the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) from embarking on a nationwide strike.
Justice Ibrahim Galadima said the order was pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice.
Galadima granted an interim order restraining the unions, their officers, affiliates, privies from preventing workers and other Nigerians from accessing their offices from Monday.
He also granted an order compelling the Inspector General of Police and the Director-General, Department of State Services (DSS), to protect workers engaged in their legitimate duties from harassment, intimidation and bullying by NLC and TUC.
The order followed an ex-parte application filed by the Incorporated Trustees of Peace and Unity Ambassadors Association through their counsel, Sunusi Musa.
