Di Joint Union Action Congress of di Federal Capital Territory Administration (JUAC-FCTA) don strongly reject claims by FCTA management say dem don meet most of di demands of striking workers, describing di talk as misleading and no correct.
For statement wey di JUAC-FCTA Secretary, Abdullahi Saleh, release on Monday, di union dissociate itself from one press statement wey dem say come from di Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications to di FCT Minister, Lere Olayinka, wey claim say 10 out of 14 demands don already settle.
JUAC clear di air say, “No formal agreement don reach between JUAC and FCTA management on any of di demands wey workers present.”
Di union also knock down claims say government don pay some financial entitlements. According to dem, “Di claim say dem pay wage award, rural allowance, 2023 promotion arrears and comply with Public Service Rules na false, premature and attempt to mislead di public and staff.”
JUAC also deny any talk say dem don soften their stand on di ongoing strike. Dem say, “JUAC never suspend, withdraw or relax di strike because none of di main demands don fully implement or verify.”
Reacting to statements wey dem attribute to Association of Resident Doctors (ARD-FCTA), di union say such opinion no represent all workers.
Di statement add say, “Di position wey dem credit to ARD-FCTA no be di collective voice of workers under JUAC and e no fit justify di false narrative say issues don resolve.”
JUAC list many issues wey still dey ground, including unpaid promotion arrears, NHF and pension deductions, illegal tenure elongation, faulty promotion exam process, intimidation of staff, lack of training and restriction on salary portals.
Di union also blast FCTA over statutory deductions, saying government attempt to shift responsibility to workers no acceptable and against public service financial rules.
On di legality of di strike, JUAC insist say dem follow due process. “Dis strike action lawful and justified, and e follow labour laws after di seven-day ultimatum expire,” di union talk.
JUAC urge workers, public and media make dem ignore di FCTA press release, saying e no reflect di true situation. Dem also call on workers make dem remain united and committed until all demands fully implement.
While urging FCTA management to change approach, di union say dem still open to real negotiation but no go accept propaganda, intimidation or divide-and-rule tactics.
Dis reaction come after FCTA claim say dem don meet 10 out of di 14 demands, with di remaining four dey process. However, workers of FCTA and Federal Capital Development Authority on Monday begin indefinite strike, shut down government activities across Abuja. Many government offices close, as security agencies deploy personnel to restrict access.
Di strike follow expiration of di seven-day ultimatum wey JUAC issue, accusing di administration of ignoring long-standing labour and welfare issues despite several meetings.
