The Academic Staff Union of Universities has written to all zonal coordinators and chairpersons of the union and demanded that members be mobilised for the nationwide strike in line with the directive from the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress.
The directive is coming just as the Federal Government is preparing for a meeting with the organised labour to resolve the crisis.
The letter signed by ASUU’s National President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, was issued on Monday night.
The letter read, “The Nigeria Labour Congress at a Joint National Executive Council of NLC and TUC directed all affiliate unions to commence withdrawal of services with effect from 12 midnight today November 13, 2023.
“As an affiliate of NLC, all members of our union are hereby directed to join this action of NLC to protect the interest of Nigerian workers and the leadership of the union.
“Zonal coordinators and branch chairpersons should immediately mobilise our members to participate in the action. A people united, cannot be defeated.”
The nationwide strike is to protest the battering of the NLC President, Joe Ajaero and some other executives of the congress in Owerri, Imo State on November 1, as well of the pending labour issues in Imo State.
Ajaero was arrested by the police ahead of a state-wide protest in Imo as disclosed by the NLC’s Head of Information, Benson Upah.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Labour, Employment and Productivity, Simon Lalong, has convened a meeting with labour leaders as the nationwide strike begins.
Leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress are expected at the meeting holding on Tuesday (today).
A source familiar with the matter disclosed this to our correspondent on Monday night.
“The minister has convened a meeting with the Labour leaders for Tuesday,” the source simply said.
The labour unions had, on Monday, ordered their affiliates to withdraw their services nationwide from midnight on November 14, 2023.
TUC President, Festus Osifo, disclosed this while addressing journalists in Abuja..
Osifo said the strike would remain until “government at all levels wake up to their responsibility.”
The strike is also to protest the battering of the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, and some other executives of the congress in Owerri, Imo State, on November 1, as well as the pending labour issues in Imo State.
Ajaero was arrested by the police ahead of a state-wide protest in Imo, as disclosed by the NLC’s Head of Information, Benson Upah.
Although the police denied arresting Ajaero, stating that he was merely taken into protective custody to prevent a mob attack, the Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, accused the labour leader of meddling in the political affairs of the state.
The NLC and TUC later wrote their affiliates such as the Academic Staff Union of Universities, National Union of Electricity Employees, Nigeria Union of Teachers, Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria and Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics among others ahead of the nationwide strike.
The letter to the affiliates was jointly signed by the National Secretary, NLC, Emmanuel Ugboaja and the Secretary General of the Trade Union Congress, Nuhu Toro.
The letter read, “In furtherance to the decision of the Joint National Executive Council of NLC and TUC, all workers in Nigeria are hereby directed to withdraw their services effective 12 midnight today, November 13, 2023.
“Consequently, all affiliates and state councils of NLC/TUC are directed to issue circulars for maximum compliance and these circulars be made available to the National Secretariats or posted to the NEC and WC Whatsapp platforms.
“While we shall update you with developments as they unfold, do remain assured of our commitment to Nigerian workers and people.”
