Labour unions under the Joint Union Action Committee,JUAC, comprising staff members of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, has issued a fresh 21-day ultimatum to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike to meet their demand or face mass action.
The ultimatum was issued on Wednesday at the ended of the three-day protest embarked upon by the union.
The union commenced the protest on Monday over sundry grievances which includes: non-payment of staff salaries, the prolonged FCT Primary school teachers and health workers strike, among others.
Speaking during the final protest, President of the unions, Rifkatu Iortyer disclosed that the union leaders met with members of management, but staged a walkout after their demands were not met.
“Yesterday, we met with management and because they did not come out to address you, distinguished colleagues, we walked out.
“We told them it is not us alone, we are only leading you, and we are telling them what you have sent us to tell them, and if they cannot come out to talk to all of us that stayed in the rain, and if they did not come out today, we are not hearing them.
“And believe you me, every member of JUAC walked out on management.
“We told them if they want us to hear them, they should come and address us here today. But have they come? Did you see them? Are we stopping?” she asked.
She said ” So, it is on this note that today we must close.”
The president added: “According to the ILO law for strikes and other industrial actions, now we have protested, and we have made our grievances heard.
“We are going to give them a 21-day ultimatum, we have written the letter, it is with us.
“After that, according to the ILO law again, we will give them 14 days, that we have waited 21 days, you’ve not spoken.
“After the 14 days, we will now give them seven days. After those seven days, we will come out again”.
She assured the workers that the leaders of the union will not betray them, and will fight the cause to the end until they were successful.
“My sincere prayer is that they hear us. We want them to hear us, that is why we have gathered.
“We pray that God will make them hear us. But still, if they do not hear, we will not chicken out.
“We will do the other thing they are not ready to talk about,” she said.
