‘False and Premature’ – FCTA Workers Dismiss Wike’s Claims Insist Strike Continues

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The Joint Union Action Congress (JUAC) of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has rejected claims by the FCTA management that the majority of demands by striking workers have been resolved, maintaining that the ongoing industrial action remains in effect.

Gossip News Now reports that workers under the FCTA began an indefinite strike on Monday, citing the authorities’ failure to address long-standing labour, welfare, and administrative concerns.

Responding to a statement by Lere Olayinka, media aide to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, which asserted that 10 out of 14 demands had been met, JUAC described the claim as inaccurate and misleading.

In a statement issued on Tuesday and signed by its Secretary, Abdullahi Umar Saleh, the union insisted that no formal agreement had been reached with the FCTA management on any of the issues raised.

“There is no formal agreement between JUAC and the FCTA management on any of the demands presented by the union,” the statement said.

JUAC specifically refuted assertions that matters such as the payment of wage awards, rural allowances, 2023 promotion arrears, and adherence to public service rules had been resolved.

According to the union, such claims are “false, premature, and calculated to mislead both workers and the general public.”

The union further clarified that it has neither suspended nor eased the strike action.

“JUAC has not suspended, withdrawn, or relaxed the industrial action, as none of the core demands has been fully implemented or independently verified,” the statement added.

JUAC also dissociated itself from reports attributed to the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD-FCTA), which suggested that outstanding issues had been settled.

“The statement attributed to the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD-FCTA) does not reflect the collective position of workers under JUAC and cannot be used to support the misleading narrative that issues have been resolved,” the union stated.

The union listed several unresolved issues, including unpaid promotion arrears, non-remittance of National Housing Fund and pension deductions, alleged illegal tenure extensions, a flawed promotion examination process, staff intimidation, inadequate training opportunities, and restrictions on the salary payment portal.

JUAC also criticised attempts by the FCTA management to transfer responsibility for statutory deductions to workers, describing the move as unacceptable and contrary to established public service financial regulations.

The union maintained that the strike action remains lawful and justified, noting that all required procedures were followed prior to its commencement.

“The ongoing strike action remains lawful, justified, and fully compliant with labour laws, having followed due process after the expiration of the seven-day ultimatum,” the statement said.

JUAC urged workers to remain united and steadfast while reiterating its willingness to engage in genuine dialogue.

“JUAC remains open to sincere discussions but will not yield to misinformation, intimidation, or divide-and-rule tactics,” the union concluded.