Union Insists Industrial Action Will Continue Until Workers’ Demands Are Met Amid Ongoing Legal and Administrative Dispute in Abuja
The indefinite strike by workers of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) continues to disrupt public services across Abuja as labor unions reject calls by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike for workers to return to duty.
The Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC), representing staff of both agencies, insists the industrial action will continue until workers’ outstanding welfare concerns and financial entitlements are fully addressed. Union leaders maintain that unresolved issues have lingered for too long, forcing workers to sustain pressure on the administration through the strike.
The dispute has also entered a legal phase, with unions confirming they have appealed a recent ruling of the National Industrial Court that directed suspension of the strike to allow dialogue. According to labor representatives, the ruling does not invalidate the broader collective action, and workers remain determined to continue until tangible commitments are secured.
Minister Wike, meanwhile, has urged workers to resume work, warning that continued defiance of the court order could carry consequences. He has also stated that his administration remains open to dialogue aimed at resolving the dispute, though unions argue that meaningful engagement has yet to occur.
The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has thrown its weight behind the striking workers, encouraging affiliated unions in the Federal Capital Territory to sustain the action until all outstanding demands are met. Labor leaders argue that the court order cited by the government affects only certain individuals and does not cover the wider workforce.
As the strike continues, several administrative and public service operations across the Federal Capital Territory remain slowed or grounded, affecting residents and businesses relying on government services. Observers warn that prolonged disruption could further strain service delivery in Abuja if negotiations fail to produce a breakthrough soon.
Workers say their demands include payment of outstanding wage awards, promotion arrears, remittance of pension deductions, and improvements in general working conditions. With both sides standing firm, residents and stakeholders are watching closely for renewed negotiations that could restore normalcy in the nation’s capital.
