By Ushang Ewa
The industrial action embarked upon by the Nigeria Labor Congress in Cross River State has crippled economic activities since Friday but the State Government Tuesday said it cannot comprehend the reason for the action as it has met all Labor’s demands.
Mr. Christian Ita, the spokesperson for Cross River Governor, Benedict Ayade told The DAILYPOST Newspapers on phone that Labor has no business going on strike.
“The point is that the labor people even have no business of going on strike as government has met all their demands. They asked for promotion and the governor has agreed that they should be given and it was given.
“They turned around and complained about the way the letters were structured and the language used and we changed it. They again turned around and complained about the content and the government now said okay, no problem, let us change it but they went on strike.
“The question is, why are they on strike? Strike for what? Do they know why they are on strike or are they on strike because they want to go on strike?” Ita said and pointed out that it was lack of good faith that led to the industrial action by NLC with their recent demands been tough to meet.
“A situation where you have disagreement with your employers and you now switched off your phones as they are doing now. What is all these?” Ita queried and pointed out that people in other states are “Owed 5, 6, 7 months salaries and workers are not on strike but here, they are now on strike because they want promotion, promotion in a period of recession; don’t forget we are in recession.”
Also, he accused the workers of tampering with the security architecture of the state.
“Yesterday (Monday) they stopped people who were about to put diesel in the generator that powered streets. The law allows you to go on strike but does not permit you to stop people from going out to do their legitimate duty.
“The street light was not on yesterday. We don’t know why they are on strike as we have met all their demands. Government was ready to pay June salaries but there is no body to process it. We are not convinced why they are on strike,” Ita said.
The NLC embarked on an indefinite strike beginning 12 noon on Friday last week over alleged doctoring of their agreement which the Secretary to the State Government, Barrister Tina Agbor was directed to forward to the Civil Service Commission.
However, findings by CrossRiverWatch revealed that some Agencies and Departments of Government did not join in the industrial action.
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One commentOn ‘Strike For What?’ Cross River Government On NLC ‘SSG Must Go’ Strike
If you say “strike for what”, what about some local government staff that are been owed for about 7 month, are there not justified for the strike? Lets be truthful for once, if you are in the shoes of these people, will you smile or strike? State workers are been paid while LGA workers are not. God help us.