Already, the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and other trade unions have directed their members to shut down operations beginning from 12 am tonight for the commencement of the strike.
Expectedly, the unions have directed that all air and seaports, schools, government hospitals, schools, electricity and oil installations should be shut down early tomorrow morning.
The organised labour had on Sunday boycotted the reconciliation meeting summoned by the Federal Government over the issue of implementing the N30,000 new National Minimum Wage agreed for Nigerian workers and the planned nationwide strike.
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However, as at the time of posting this report, the meeting of the National Tripartite Minimum Wage Committee scheduled for Monday is on-going, with the labour leaders in attendance.
In a circular written by NUATE, titled: “Notice of indefinite strike action,” and copied to the Managing Director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, the Union directed all aviation workers to withdraw their services as from 12 am tonight.
The circular, signed by the National President, Comrade Ben Nnabue, said: “This is to bring to your notice that the Nigeria Labour Congress and other partners in the Organised Labour have declared a national strike as a result of the inability of the Federal Government to agree on the new national minimum wage.
“Consequent upon this notice, all aviation workers are hereby directed to withdraw all services and join other Nigerians and stakeholders to proceed on the national strike from Tuesday 6th November 2018 at 00.00hrs.
“All airlines operating in and out of Nigeria Airports shall be affected by this industrial action. We appeal to your good sense of understanding in this regard. Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”
In a circular by the MHWUN to its state chairmen and secretaries, the Union directed its members to begin preparation and mobilization for the strike commencing on Tuesday.
Signed by the HOD Admin, Comrade Musa Chara said: “I have been directed to remind you of the decision of Congress to embark on an indefinite strike on the 6th of November, 2018 which was earlier communicated to you … In furtherance to this, a joint meeting of the CWCs of Labour centres met in harmony to ensure a total strike.
“You are thus directed to mobilize all members of your council to participate in the action. Meanwhile, you are to reach out to and work in harmony with other Labour centres and unionists in your State as well as civil society activist to ensure total strike in your state.”
Also, in a circular signed by NASU General Secretary, Comrade Peters Adeyemi, the Union said: “Following the refusal of the Federal Government and state governors to act positively of the N30,000 national minimum wage as agreed by the Tripartite Committee on Review of the National Minimum Wage, NASU members in all the branches across the 36 states and FCT are by this circular directed to, in compliance with the Organised Labour’s position, embark on total and indefinite strike action effective 12.01a.m on 6th November, 2018.”
NULGE, in a circular directed to all national officers, state presidents and the secretary said: “I have the directive to request you to urgently mobilise all members in your state chapter and comply with this decision. And because of the usual antics of government, on matters like this one, please be further informed that under no circumstance should you be cowed, forced or threatened to do otherwise on any guise by your state government except they are willing and ready to comply with the agreement reached by the tripartite committee on this matter.”
SSANU said in a statement directed to all branch chairman and signed by Kingsley Okayi, Senior Assistant General Secretary: “You are hereby directed to liaise with your state councils of the NLC and participate actively in the total and indefinite strike action commencing from 12.01 am on 6th November 2018as directed by the NLC in affiliate with the TUC and the ULC.”
and then