*Tissue Of Falsehood, They Claim
*Give Item-By-Item Response To Authorities’ Welfare Claims
*’Strike Continues, It’s Justified, Legal’
*Warn Against Divide-and-Rule Tactics
By Felix Durumbah, Abuja
The face-off between striking workers of Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and the Administration’s authorities,led by FCT Minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike, moved a notch up tonight as labour swiftly issued a disclaimer to claims by the Minister a few hours ago that he had granted 10 of the 14 demands of the workforce.
The about 40,000 workers today embarked on an indefinite strike which paralyzed activities in all FCTA offices, even forcing Wike and his lieutenants to stay away from work completely as the angry workers stayed home.
Reacting to the Minister’s claims -which were issued in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant, Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka–, the workers’ umbrella Joint Unions Action Congress (JUAC), in a statement by its Secretary, Comrade Abdullahi Umar Saleh, tore into the Minister’s welfare claims one by one.
The statement was titled ‘Official Disclaimer / Rebuttal’.
In it, JUAC stated: “The Joint Union Action Congress (JUAC) of the Federal Capital Territory Administration hereby categorically rejects and dissociates itself from the misleading press release issued by the FCTA through the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications, Mr. Lere Olayinka, claiming that 10 out of the 14 demands of workers have been met.
“JUAC wishes to state clearly and unequivocally as follows:
“1.No formal agreement has been reached between JUAC and the FCTA management on any of the demands presented.
Claims On Payment Of Wage Award,Other Arrears
“2.The claims of payment of wage awards,rural allowance,2023 promotion arrears and compliance with Public Service Rules are false, premature, and intended to misinform the public and staff.
Strike Still On Till…
“3.JUAC has not suspended, withdrawn or relaxed its position on the industrial action because none of the core demands has been conclusively implemented or verified.
Quoted Resident Doctors’ Statement Not Universally Applicable
“4.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.
Unpaid Promotion Arrears, Pension Issues
“5.Matters relating to unpaid promotion arrears, NHF and pension remittances, illegal tenure elongation, flawed promotion examination process, intimidation of staff, lack of training and salary portal restrictions remain largely unattended to.
“6.The attempt by management to shift responsibility for statutory deductions to workers is unacceptable and contrary to established public service financial regulations.
Ongoing Strike Justified, Lawful
“7.The ongoing strike action remains lawful, justified and in full compliance with labour laws, having followed due process after expiration of the 7-day ultimatum.
‘ Disregard FCTA Press Statement’
“JUAC therefore urges: Members of staff, public and media to disregard the FCTA press release as it does not reflect the true situation.
“All staff should remain resolute, united and committed to the collective struggle until all demands are fully implemented.
Warning To FCTA Mgt
“The FCTA management to stop issuing propaganda and engage sincerely with workers to resolve the outstanding issues.
“JUAC remains open to genuine dialogue but will not succumb to misinformation, intimidation or divide-and-rule tactics.”
*PHOTO CAPTION: Usually busy FCT Minister’s gate today.
