The Federal Capital Territory Administration’s Joint Union Action Congress (JUAC) has dismissed FCTA management’s claims that the majority of workers’ requests have already been met.
JUAC members began an indefinite strike on Monday, alleging the government’s refusal to address long-standing labour and welfare concerns.
However, the FCTA management, through Lere Olayinka, media adviser to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, claimed that 10 of the 14 demands had been addressed, with efforts still underway to resolve the other four.
In a statement issued on Tuesday and signed by its secretary, Abdullahi Umar Saleh, JUAC refuted the report, stating that no formal agreement has been struck with FCTA management on any of the unions’ demands.
The congress particularly denied allegations that concerns such as wage award payment, rural allowance, 2023 promotion arrears, and compliance with public service norms had been rectified, calling them as deceptive.
According to JUAC, the FCTA management’s story is “false, premature, and intended to misinform the public and staff”.
The union further stressed that it has not suspended or eased its industrial action, emphasising that the strike is still in full force.
“JUAC has not suspended, withdrawn or relaxed its position on the industrial action because none of the core demands has been conclusively implemented or verified,” according to a statement.
JUAC responded to reports attributed to the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD-FCTA), stating that those sentiments do not represent the collective position of workers under its umbrella.
“The statement credited to the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD-FCTA) does not represent the collective position of workers under JUAC and cannot be used to justify the false narrative that issues have been resolved,” stated a spokesperson.
JUAC also raised several outstanding issues, including unpaid promotion arrears, failure to remit National Housing Fund (NHF) and pension deductions, alleged illegal tenure elongation, a tainted promotion examination process, staff intimidation, insufficient training opportunities, and salary payment portal limitations.
The union attacked FCTA management’s attempts to shift responsibility for statutory deductions to workers, calling the move a violation of public sector financial standards.
“The ongoing strike action remains lawful, justified and in full compliance with labour laws, having followed due process after expiration of the seven-day ultimatum,” claimed the union.
“All workers should remain resolute, united and committed to the collective struggle until all demands are fully implemented.”
While reiterating its commitment to constructive involvement, JUAC cautioned against the use of misinformation and intimidation to undermine worker solidarity.
“JUAC remains open to genuine dialogue but will not succumb to misinformation, intimidation or divide-and-rule tactics,” according to the statement.