The Federal Capital Territory Wing of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has directed all primary and secondary school teachers to join the ongoing strike action initiated by the Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC).
This is contained in a communiqué jointly signed by the Chairman, Abdullahi Shafas, Secretary, Margaret Jethro, and Publicity Secretary, Ibukun Adekeye, issued on Monday in Abuja.
The communiqué said the decision for teachers to down tools follows a directive from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), instructing all affiliate unions within the FCT to escalate the industrial action.
While the NUT noted initial reservations regarding the organisational approach of the JUAC-led strike, the union emphasised that the intervention of the NLC necessitated a unified front.
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“All teachers in FCT primary and secondary schools are to stay away from classrooms starting Monday.
“Teachers within the city centre and surrounding areas are directed to converge at the National Industrial Court (NIC) on Gimbiya Street, Area 11, Abuja.
“The gathering is intended to show solidarity during the hearing of a court case instituted against the JUAC,” it says.
Also, in the communiqué, the union reaffirmed its commitment to negotiating with authorities until all outstanding demands specifically affecting teachers are met.
“In pursuit of justice and to demonstrate our collective resolve, we must stand together. A people united can never be defeated,” the communiqué said.
The union urged its members to remain steadfast while promising to provide updates as the situation unfolds.
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) on January 19 began an indefinite strike over unresolved welfare concerns.
The workers under JUAC have been appealing for urgent action to resolve the welfare issues affecting their morale and productivity.
The president of the union, Mrs. Rifkatu Iortyer, had earlier told journalists that some of the concerns raised include the non-remittance of pension and National Housing Fund deductions, and the non-payment of overheads.
Others are the unlawful restriction and centralisation of salary preparation and payment, and non-payment of officers of the Abuja Environment Protection Board and social development secretariat engaged to enforce laws and policies.
