Strike: Cracks In JUSUN As Judiciary Workers Divide Over Strike

There was a division among the members of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), yesterday, during the first day of their ongoing strike.

Also, last night, the JUSUN chairman, Supreme Court chapter, Comrade Danladi Nda, denied allegations that they had been compromised.

There were allegations by aggrieved staff of the lower courts that the leadership JUSUN in the apex court may have been compromised.

But Comrade Nda said, “We have not been compromised by the CJN; we believe in the assurance she has given us that’s why we refused to be part of the industrial action.
“For obvious reasons, we did not partake in the industrial action of JUSUN. Some of the reasons I’ll itemise for you now is that we are on course together, pursuing our legitimate demands on the issue of 35 percent increase and the new minimum wage.

“The CJN has been on this matter and has met with President Bola Tinubu and the Accountant General of the Federation to have tnis matter resolved. Embarking on strike now will be counterproductive.”
While some members of JUSUN in the superior courts joined the strike, the Supreme Court, the National Judicial Council (NYC) and the Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC) failed to join the industrial action.

LEADERSHIP findings yesterday, revealed that the Court of Appeal, the Federal High Court (FHC), High Court of Justice of the Federal Capital Territory Chapters of JUSUN, locked out judges, lawyers, staff and litigants from accessing the court following the indefinite strike declared by its national body.

At the FHC headquarters located along Shehu Shagari Way in Abuja, all the entrance gates into the high-rise building were under lock and key.

Judges, staff, lawyers, litigants and members of the public were denied access as business activities in and around the court were paralysed.

JUSUN national body had, on May 30, in a circular by its acting National Secretary, M.J Akwashiki, asked all its chapters’ chairmen to effective from midnight Sunday, June 1, direct all their members to stay at home.

It said that, “This directive follows unfruitful meetings in the instance of the Minister of Labour and Employment who was conciliating on our matter.

“We believe that as directed by the organs of the union, National Working Committee (NWC) and National Executive Council (NEC) of our great union, the action will continue until further notice.

“Our demands are for the government to pay us 5 months’ wage award, implement the N70,000 National Minimum Wage, as well as the 25/35 percent salary increase.”

Although there were reports that some chapters of the union had backed out from the industrial action, as at 9:48am, the Federal High Court gates were still under lock and key.