Posted by By PHILIP NWOSU on
Hope of an early resolution of the four- day- old strike embarked upon by judicial workers heightened yesterday as the immediate past President of Nigeria Labour Congress, Adams Oshiomhole, appealed to the Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria to take advantage of the Federal Government's offer of dialogue which NLC helped to secure.
Hope of an early resolution of the four- day- old strike embarked upon by judicial workers heightened yesterday as the immediate past President of Nigeria Labour Congress, Adams Oshiomhole, appealed to the Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria to take advantage of the Federal Government's offer of dialogue which NLC helped to secure. The appeal came amid concerted effort he had undertaken to bring all parties involved to the negotiating table.
Oshiomhole said last night, that he appreciated the demands of the workers, but urged them to embrace dialogue, since government has shown commitment to negotiate. He said that unlike in the past, where government displayed indifference to dialogue, the present government had shown willingness to discuss with workers.
Oshiomhole said that government's action and enthusiasm to dialogue is an affirmative effort that should be encouraged. 'Government has demonstrated positive zeal which must be supported. While the issues canvassed by the unions are legitimate, it is obvious that there is the need for a properly constituted negotiating forum. And since the NLC has gotten the government to convene a forum, it is necessary for the judicial workers to enter into negotiation on their demands. In the light of the Federal Government offer of dialogue, it is necessary to soften the current position with a view to facilitating dialogue."
The former NLC President, who said that Nigerians are concerned about the need for an early resolution of the strike to ensure that the wheel of justice is not grounded for too long, said: 'I firmly believe that the issues being canvassed required a properly negotiating structure and I support the position of NLC that the strike be put on hold to allow the negotiation to commence immediately."
The labour leader requested the Federal Government to approach the negotiating process with all seriousness to ensure an expeditious and fruitful conclusion of the matter.
He also appealed to the judicial workers and NLC to use their best endeavour to suspend the strike to ensure that the wheel of justice and entire judicial arm of government resume operation.