Umahi's Aide, HOS, Calls For End Of JUSSUN Industrial Action

By Our Reporter

Following the industrial action embarked upon by the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria Ebonyi State Chapter on 13th August, 2020 over the alleged non implementation of Consolidated Judiciary Salary Structure (CONJUS) the Special assisstant to the governor on Inter Party and Labour Matters, Mr Jenifer Adibe Nwafor has called on the union to call off the industrial action for  the interest of peace and stability of the judicial arm of Government in the state.

She made the call during a meeting with the national leadership of Judiciary staff union of Nigeria JUSUN, in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi state capital. 

She expressed displeasure over the neglect of her office by the state leadership of the Union, who she said failed to notify her office before embarking on such action, "there are channels that must be followed before embarking on industrial action by any union which Ebonyi JUSUN failed to follow. The

Union never made their demand to Government through my office as SA on labour matters", she lamented.

She however, noted that Ebonyi state Government under the leadership of Engr David Nweze Umahi is committed to the better welfare of the state workforce and expressed optimism that  Government will definitely do justice to the CONJUSS as soon as the pandemic is over and the economy of the state improves.

The SA therefore, urged the National leadership of the Union to prevail on the state chapter to suspend the strike and return to work.

Speaking during the meeting, Barr Placidus Nnamani, National Assistant Secretary of JUSUN who represented the National President, expressed happiness on the determination of the Ebonyi State Government to address the pressing issue at hand by interacting with the National Leadership. He noted that the new salary structure was statutorily captured in the budget and had been in existence since the last administration with valid documents. Barr Placidus Nnamani added that what prompted the visit to Ebonyi by the National Leadership was anchored on the threat allegedly issued by the Government that "NO WORK, NO PAY" which he described as unacceptable, and urged the Government to give a defined period within which their demand will be met. He pleaded on behalf of the Ebonyi JUSUN that their August Salaries should not be withheld for not attending to work while on strike as Government directed. He added that the strike was a means to draw the attention of the Government to the demand of JUSUN.

In addition, Comr Chinedu Eze, National Organizing Secretary and JUSUN Chairman of Abia State, urged the Ebonyi State Government to try and pay at least a percentage of the consolidated Judiciary staff salary CONJUSS, to melt the heart of the workers while awaiting the full implemention.

Reacting, the Head of Service, Dr. Chamberlin Nwele noted that the Government never resolved not to implement the payment as alleged by the striking workers, but maintained that the Government will definitely pay the CONJUSS as soon as things get better. He expressed dissatisfaction on the time the strike was embarked upon. And further indicated that the novel Covid 19 pandemic bankrupted the Government in the sense that State Governments are totally handicapped. 

The National Leadership in response, promised to shelve the decision of the State Government on the matter after interacting with His Excellency Gov. Nweze Umahi on phone during the meeting, and gave assurances that their workers will definitely call off the strike. The meeting had in attendance the leadership of JUSUN at Zonal and National level.