Labour union threatens to join ASUU strike

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Monday threatened to join the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in solidarity strike if the Federal Government failed to address the body’s demands.

NLC President, Abdulwaheed Omar, made the threat at the opening ceremony of the “2013 Rain School’’ in Uyo.

“We call on the federal government to have meaningful dialogue with ASUU with a view to implementing the agreement.

“The state governments should equally obey the law and pay minimum wage to teachers and the local government workers as well as the 27.5 per cent teacher’s enhanced salaries.

“Should these strikes persist, workers of Nigeria will not hesitate to join them in solidarity,” the News Agency of Nigeria quoted Omar as saying at the forum.

Omar said the modules of the rain school were designed to train members of affiliate unions and state councils of the NLC.

“This is in order to equip them with necessary skills to empower and protect their rights at workplace.’’

He said the theme of the 2013 Rain School was imperative due to the obvious violation of workers’ rights in the workplace and in the larger society.