Workers in the Osun State public service have resumed duties following the conclusion of a three-day sympathy strike organised in solidarity with local government employees over the withholding of council funds.
The workers returned to their duty posts on Thursday after complying with a directive by the state chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to embark on the industrial action in support of members of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE).
Visits by LEADERSHIP to public schools, government agencies, parastatals and other public offices across the state revealed a large turnout of workers following the directive to end the strike.
The industrial action was announced in a joint statement signed by the NLC Chairman in the state, Comrade Christopher Arapasopo; the Trade Union Congress (TUC) Chairman, Comrade Bimbo Fasaasi; and the Joint Negotiation Council (JNC) Chairman, Comrade Lekan Adediran.
The labour unions commended workers, pensioners and affiliate unions for their solidarity, cooperation and peaceful conduct throughout the three-day action.
They said the participation of workers demonstrated the unity of the labour movement and its collective determination to defend workers’ rights, welfare and dignity.
The statement partly read, “The Organised Labour in Osun State expresses its profound appreciation to all affiliate unions, workers, pensioners and members for their unwavering solidarity, cooperation and exemplary conduct throughout the three-day sympathy strike in support of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Osun State Council.”
The unions also urged workers to remain calm and united while maintaining mobilisation and staying prepared for further directives from organised labour.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, a civil servant said he was pleased to participate in the strike, arguing that local government councils had become largely ineffective because of the lack of funds to discharge their constitutional responsibilities.
He also alleged that local government workers in the state were being denied some of their entitlements, adding that other public servants could not afford to remain indifferent to their colleagues’ plight.
He said the sympathy strike was necessary to demonstrate collective support for local government employees and draw attention to the challenges confronting the councils.
