Unions representing primary school teachers and local government workers in the Federal Capital Territory have told area council chairmen that they won’t end their strike action unless salary arrears are paid.
An executive of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) and Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), who declined to be named, said on Tuesday that the condition was made clear during back-to-back meetings with the six area council chairmen in Abuja.
“The meetings on Thursday and Friday failed to resolve anything because the unions insisted that without payment, the strike continues,” he said.
He explained that the council leaders had requested a temporary halt to the strike for room to negotiate, but the unions declined, citing multiple broken promises and disregard for workers’ welfare.
The union representative acknowledged the council chairmen’s action on the minimum wage but emphasised that more remains unaddressed.
“The minimum wage is just one part. What about the other outstanding demands?” he asked.
He said the unions resolved to back FCT Minister Nyesom Wike’s directive to allocate 10% of the Federal Capital Territory Internal Revenue Service (FCT-IRS) to offset debts.
“The payment must begin with the N16 billion owed in eight months’ salary arrears to LEA teachers and council workers,” he added.