BENIN CITY – Edo State branch of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) has said it is prepared to call off its six months industrial strike action subject to a written and signed MoU on terms of agreement presented to government.
The workers, converged yesterday at the open hall at Court No. 1 in a special congress session called by its executive.
Some of the workers who spoke during their deliberation, however, could not hide their feelings of resuming work immediately if the terms of agreement articulated by the executive of the union and government before the Peace Committee set up by the Chief Judge and Rev. David Ugolor are signed by both parties.
The workers, who also expressed griefs over the death of seven of their colleagues, wondered why the trade dispute had not been resolved by the government, as they pointed out that only Edo and Akwa-Ibom States were the only states to comply with the financial autonomy for the Judiciary in the country.
Speaking with newsmen, the Chairman of JUSUN, Edo State branch, Comrade Uyi Ogieriakhi said the congress was called to sensitise members on its position and the extent it has gone with the Peace Committee, as well as the way forward on terms of agreement.
Comrade Ogieriakhi further stated that the congress is the highest decision making body in the union and that he cannot undermine their decision, hence the resolution would be implemented to the letter.
According to him, “our decision now for all our members who have contributed to deliberation said government should put the agreement in black and white, salary and financial autonomy of Edo State Judiciary will be articulated in the MoU that will be signed by both parties”.
To this end, he said the strike will continue as it was the collective decision of the congress.
He then appealed to the government to see reasons with the workers, even as the industrial action has lasted for six months up till now.
Counsel to JUSUN, Olayinwola Afolabi Esq told The NIGERIAN OBSERVER that his clients were very much prepared to resume work if the state government attend to their request.
Meanwhile, a Peace Committee comprising of notable citizens of the state was set up by the Chief Judge and Rev. Ugolor, Executive Director of ANEEJ ostensibly to proffer solution on the way forward towards the realisation of peace and industrial harmony in the third arm of government.
It would however be recalled that the judiciary staff embarked on industrial action since January 5, 2015 apparently to drive home their demands.
