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The organised labour movement in the Federal Capital Territory has been thrown into disarray as unions adopted conflicting positions on the indefinite strike declared by the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, FCT Council.

The NLC had on Wednesday directed workers under the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, including those in the private sector, to embark on an indefinite strike.

The industrial action followed unresolved disagreements between the FCTA and the Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT.

However, while the Trade Union Congress, TUC, instructed its members to disregard the strike and resume their duties, the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE, declared its full support for the action.

In a notice issued on Friday and signed by its FCT Secretary, Mr Sunday Joseph, the TUC rejected the strike directive and disassociated itself from the action, citing a lack of consultation.

The congress maintained that the NLC had unilaterally declared the strike without holding joint discussions with other unions.

“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,” it said.

The TUC called for a more proactive and strategic approach, particularly on issues concerning workers’ welfare and children’s education, while directing its members to report to work as usual.

“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,” the congress said.

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

In a similar development, the Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools had distanced itself from the strike on Wednesday.

The union’s FCT Chairman, Mr Julius Ogundiran, issued a statement in Abuja on Wednesday directing secondary school teachers and education officers to continue with their regular academic responsibilities.

In contrast, the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE, instructed its members to suspend work in solidarity with the striking teachers.

In a solidarity notice addressed to FCT teachers, the NULGE FCT Council, through its State Secretary, Mr Ayendi Agede, directed workers across the territory’s six Area Councils to join the strike beginning Friday.

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