Labour unions divided as NUPENG, others make U-turn on proposed strike

With some groups in the camp of Ayuba Waba, NLC President, faced with uncertainties as to what would be the outcome of the rescheduled meeting with the government on Tuesday, May 17, the Electricity Workers Union, NUPENG and their allies have already made a U-turn on the proposed strike.

A Federal Government team led by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, had held a meeting with the leadership of the NLC on Monday, May 16, over the proposed strike, but the meeting was adjourned till Tuesday (today) after the two parties could not reach an agreement.

Unconfirmed reports however said the meeting ended in a deadlock because the NLC was not ready to meet the government halfway as a reversal of N120 was proposed. But labour was said to have insisted on total reversal.

It was gathered that after the meeting with the NLC, the SGF, with Governor Adams Oshiomole part of the government negotiation team, also met with the leadership of NUPENG, Electricity Workers Union and their own allies.

The second meeting, according to the SGF, was also adjourned but was fruitful.

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Confirming the fruitful outcome of the meeting, the Executive Secretary of the Electricity Workers Union, Joe Ajaero, told newsmen that the unions are backing out of the proposed NLC strike.

However, the National Industrial Court has ordered the NLC to suspend the proposed strike, which was scheduled to begin on Wednesday, May 18, 2016.

The restraining order came following a suit filed by the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami challenging the action.