The Trade Union Congress (TUC) in Rivers State has started mobilising its members for two major strikes slated for next week.
The leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the TUC have directed workers in the state to embark on an indefinite strike as from Monday, November 12, 2012 in protest of the illegal deductions from their September and October salaries by the state government.
Also pharmacists and medical scientists in the state would on Wednesday, November 14, 2012, embark on an indefinite strike to protest unresolved labour issues with the management of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), Alakahia, Port Harcourt.
In a communiqué issued at the end of its emergency state executive council meeting in Port Harcourt, the TUC stated that it decided to mobilise its members and affiliate organisations to join the two strikes because it believes that injury to one is injury to all.
The communiqué, which was signed by Comrade Hyginus Chika Onuegbu and Comrade Jonas OgunduOkere; state chairman and state secretary, respectively read in parts, “Council-in-Session notes that there are so many lingering labour issues that require urgent resolution and therefore ratifies the support given to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Rivers State initiated strike action by the leadership of TUC Rivers State council.”
“Council therefore direct that if by midnight of Sunday November 11, 2012, the demands as stated in the letter of November 7, 2012 jointly signed by the state chairmen of NLC and TUC are not met, all affiliates of NLC and TUC in Rivers State public service should embark on an indefinite strike action.