The Trade Union Congress (TUC), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council, has distanced itself from the indefinite strike declared by the FCT chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), directing its members to return to their normal duties.
The TUC said it was neither consulted nor involved in the decision to commence the industrial action over unresolved disagreements between the FCT Administration and the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT).
The NLC had directed public and private sector workers in the territory to begin an indefinite strike on October 7, following a dispute involving teachers and the FCT Administration.
However, in a statement issued by its FCT Council, the TUC maintained that the directive was made without consultation with its leadership or affiliated unions.
The council consequently declared that it was not a party to the strike and instructed its affiliate unions and members to continue their regular activities and report to work as usual.
It also cautioned against any attempt to intimidate or compel its members to participate in industrial action that it had not approved. Members who experience such pressure were advised to report the matter to the TUC FCT Secretariat.
The council further directed affiliate union leaders to disregard instructions to establish strike enforcement committees unless such directives came from the TUC FCT leadership.
While urging its members to remain calm, law-abiding and vigilant, the congress said any further instructions would be communicated through its leadership if circumstances changed.
The TUC expressed concern about the welfare of teachers, other workers and children affected by the dispute, stressing that labour disagreements should be addressed through consultation and established industrial relations procedures.
It added that it remained open to dialogue to help resolve the issues and prevent unnecessary disruption to children’s education.
The development follows a similar decision by the FCT chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS), which had also rejected the NLC’s strike directive and instructed its members to resume their duties.
The disagreement centres on labour and administrative issues involving teachers in the territory, with the NLC pressing for action on its outstanding demands.
