Joint Union Action Congress (JUAC) of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has faulted claims by the FCTA management that most of the workers’ demands have been addressed, insisting that the ongoing strike has not been suspended.
Gatekeepers News reports that workers under FCTA embarked on an indefinite strike on Monday over what the union described as the authorities’ failure to resolve long-standing labour and welfare issues affecting staff.
Following the action, Lere Olayinka, media aide to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, stated that the FCTA administration had met 10 out of the 14 demands presented by the workers, adding that work was ongoing on the remaining four.
Reacting on Tuesday, JUAC, in a statement signed by its secretary, Abdullahi Umar Saleh, said no “formal agreement has been reached between JUAC and the FCTA management on any of the demands presented”.
The union rejected claims that the payment of wage awards, rural allowance, 2023 promotion arrears and compliance with public service rules had been achieved, describing such claims as “false, premature, and intended to misinform the public and staff”.
JUAC also clarified that the industrial action remains in force, stressing that it has neither withdrawn nor relaxed its position.
“JUAC has not suspended, withdrawn or relaxed its position on the industrial action because none of the core demands has been conclusively implemented or verified,” the statement reads.
Addressing reports credited to the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD-FCTA), the union said the remarks do not reflect the collective position of workers.
“The statement credited to the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD-FCTA) does not represent the collective position of workers under JUAC and cannot be used to justify the false narrative that issues have been resolved,” it said.
JUAC said several issues are still unresolved, including unpaid promotion arrears, non-remittance of National Housing Fund and pension deductions, alleged illegal tenure elongation, irregularities in the promotion examination process, intimidation of staff, inadequate training, and restrictions on the salary payment portal.
The union also criticised efforts by the FCTA management to shift responsibility for statutory deductions to workers, describing the move as “unacceptable and contrary to established public service financial regulations”.
“The ongoing strike action remains lawful, justified and in full compliance with labour laws, having followed due process after expiration of the seven-day ultimatum,” the union said.
Calling on workers to remain united, JUAC added, “All workers should remain resolute, united and committed to the collective struggle until all demands are fully implemented.”
While expressing readiness for dialogue, the union warned that it would not tolerate misinformation or intimidation.
“JUAC remains open to genuine dialogue but will not succumb to misinformation, intimidation or divide-and-rule tactics,” the statement added.
