BREAKING: Cross River workers suspend strike

The indefinite strike action embarked upon by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) has been suspended in Cross River State. The ten day indefinite strike action was suspended today (Monday) by the two industrial Unions in Calabar, Cross River State capital.
Before now, the Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) and the Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) had pulled out of the strike action while the Executive Chairman of Cross River State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Dr Stephen Odey had urged the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) in the State to back out completely from the strike action.

Sequel to the strike action embarked upon by the Unions in the State due to the failure of government to implement the agreement reached with labour on the 30th May 2017, a meeting was convened on Sunday 2nd July 2017 to resolve the crisis.
Consequently, in a 12-point agreement signed by the representatives of government and labour, the duo agreed that the promotion exercise of deserving civil servants should continue, letters released and implemented. Commissioner for Finance, Accountant General are to implement all the agreement reached including payment of gratuities to retirees from June to December 2013.
Other aspects of the agreement were, payment of monthly imprest to MDAs a week every month while that of May 2017 is to be paid immediately. “His Excellency has approved the operation of motor parks on 50/50 basis between NURTW and other parties particularly at Etim Edem Motor Park and other parks in Calabar” it added.

“Full payment of salaries of newly appointed Permanent Secretaries should take effect from June 2017 while the arrears should be worked out for payment and appointment letters released forthwith, Labour to produce a list of all unpaid staff of LGAs and Primary School teachers to government through the Commissioner for Finance for verification and payment”
The agreement further added that all deductions be paid to beneficiaries immediately after payment of monthly salaries and Accountant General is to liaise with the Governor for the authorization of the release of the gratuities to LG Pensioners and all other outstanding issues to be addressed in due course.
“No worker shall be victimized for his or her role during the strike period and the industrial action by organized labour is hereby suspended” The agreement was signed Ekpenyong Asukwo, Head of Service, Asuquo Ekpenyong Jnr, Commissioner for Finance, Mrs Helen Brown Ubom, Permanent Secretary, Min of Rural Transf. Estab and Training, Barrister Tina Agbor Secretary to State Govt and Comrade Effiong Ita Umo Special Adviser Dept of Labour and productivity signed for government.

Comrade John Ushie, State Chairman, NLC, Comrade Edim Oyongha, Chairman SPSNC, Chief Ita Ayi, Secretary NLC, Comrade Clarkson Otu, Chairman TUC, Comrade Julius Nkoji, Secretary, SPSNC and Comrade George Umoh, Secretary TUC signed for Labour.