With no sign in sight that the lingering dispute between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff unions of Universities would end soon, it seems another player has decided to throw their cap in the ring with the hope of forcing a quick resolution. The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has threatened to join the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, in solidarity strike if the Federal Government failed to address the ASUU demands.
NLC President, Abdul waheed Omar, made the threat at the opening ceremony of the “2013 Rain School” in Uyo.
“We call on the Federal Government to have meaningful dialogue with ASUU with a view to implementing the agreement.
“The state governments should equally obey the law and pay minimum wage to teachers and the local government workers as well as the 27.5 per cent teacher’s enhanced salaries.
“Should these strikes persist, workers of Nigeria will not hesitate to join them in solidarity,” he stressed.
Omar said the modules of the rain school were designed to train members of affiliate unions and state councils of the NLC.
“This is in order to equip them with necessary skills to empower and protect their rights at workplace.”
He said that the theme of the 2013 Rain School was imperative due to the obvious violation of workers’ rights in the workplace and in the larger society.
The Akwa Ibom Chairman of NLC, Mr Unyime Usoro, commended the leadership of the congress for keeping to its promise on making Uyo the permanent host of the school.
“On our own part, we intend to ensure that the standards set five years ago that led to the permanent hosting right is not lowered.
“It is significant to note that the government of Akwa Ibom has graciously approved the building of the permanent block for Rain Schools here in Uyo to gather for the training needs of the union leaders across the nation,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that the theme of the occasion was: “Strengthening the trade Union for Defence of Workers’ Rights.”