Abia Workers Suspend Strike After Meeting With Otti

TNigeria Labour Congress ( NLC), Abia State chapter, has suspended its indefinite strike and directed all state workers to immediately return to work. The State Executive Council ( SEC) of the NLC announced the suspension of the 18- dayold strike after holding a meeting with the Governorelect, Dr. Alex Otti, last Friday, at his country home in Isiala Ngwa South local council.

In a statement titled, ‘ NLC Suspends its Strike Action’, the Congress stated that the meeting with Otti reviewed developments since the strike was declared “for non payment of salaries to Abia workers, non payment of pension arrears and gratuities and check- off dues to industrial unions.” The statement jointly signed by Comrades Paschal Nweke and Emma Alozie, State Chairman and Secretary, respectively, acknowledged the intervention efforts of well meaning Abians and other Nigerians both within and outside government and the progress made so far through the strike. “We also deliberated on the promises of the incoming governor, Dr. Alex Otti, on the contending issues that led to the strike action and appreciated the commendable efforts of patriotic Nigerians and Abians who waded into the matter but noted with regret that the issues in dispute are yet to be addressed.

“However, as a law- abiding organisation and in recognition of the efforts of well meaning Abians and in consultation with the National Headquarters of Congress ( NLC), SEC- in- Session resolved to suspend the strike action and consequently directed all Abia workers to resume all services hitherto withdrawn with immediate effect,” the statement said. It stated that no Abia worker should be victimised for his or her involvement in the strike, even as it expressed appreciation to all labour leaders and the entire Abia workforce for their resilience and unalloyed solidarity during the period of the strike.