By; BUHARI B. BELLO, Jos
Civil servants under the umbrella of the Joint National Public Service Negotiation Council Plateau State Chapter, has announced the commencement of an indefinite strike action over unpaid wages and other demands.
According to the workers, effective midnight of Wednesday 10th May 2023, they are downing tools in order to press their demands presented to the Plateau State Government which according to them, are yet to be addressed.
This position was contained in a letter addressed to the Head of Civil Service dated 10th May 2023 and made available to journalists in Jos the Plateau State capital.
The letter which is titled, “NOTICE OF INDEFINITE STRIKE ACTION”, signed by Titus I. Malau and Timothy Gopep, Chairman and Secretary of the Workers Union respectively reads that “At the expiration of our four (4) days extension to the earlier seven (7) days ultimatum given to government to address the demands of workers in our letters dated 19th April 2023, 3rd May 2023.
“Also, following the meeting of 10th May 2023 with the Head of Civil Service and the Secretary to the Government of the State in attendance, it is evidently clear that Government has not shown enough commitment to address the issues as presented in our charter of demands before its tenure expires as earlier presented,” the union said.
The union disclosed that following a joint meeting between the Joint Council and NLC/TUC Leadership, it was resolved that an INDEFINITE STRIKE ACTION be declared from midnight of 10th May, 2023.
The union however, assured government that they are readily available for discussion even as the strike continues.
The workers are alleging that the Simon Lalong-led administration among other things, is owing months of unpaid wages, even though some claimed that they have been paid up to February 2023 salaries.
The state government is yet to work out who respond to this development as at time of filing this report.
Efforts to speak to the commissioner or information on this matter was not successful as he could not pick the repeated calls.
