Workers Begin Indefinite Strike In Cross River State

Workers in Cross River State began a total strike as declared by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) despite a pull-out by the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and directives by the state government and few others.

The NLC, led by Benedict Ukpekpi, had issued a bulletin urging all workers in the state to commence an indefinite strike as the state government has failed to affect the payment of the new minimum wage, promotion arrears for four years, non-reinstatement of over 1,000 workers sacked by the government in September last year and other issues.

But the TUC, Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) and Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) had on June 27 disassociated themselves from the strike, saying: “The strike was ill-timed,” hence their members should not participate, as they preferred continuous negotiation with the state government to iron out the issues.

The TUC and others were accused of collecting bribe from the state government to denounce the strike but the leadership of Congress in the state, represented by the Vice-Chairman, Gabriel Effiong and Secretary, Ken Bassey, said although all the points and issues raised by the NLC are of concern “the times we are globally is also of huge concern to all” and denied the allegations of bribe.

While monitoring the strike, it was observed that it was total as government offices at both the new and old state secretariat were deserted except for a few senior civil servants who reported for work.

The NLC chairman, who spoke with some newsmen, said the strike was ‘total and successful.’