The Joint Union Action Congress (JUAC) of the Federal Capital Territory Administration has rejected claims by the FCTA management that the bulk of workers’ demands prompting an indefinite strike have been resolved.
The union commenced the industrial action on Monday, citing what it described as the authorities’ prolonged failure to address outstanding labour and welfare concerns affecting staff.
Lere Olayinka, media aide to Nyesom Wike, FCT minister, had earlier claimed that 10 out of the 14 demands raised by workers had been met, with discussions continuing on the remaining issues.
In a response issued on Tuesday, Abdullahi Umar Saleh, JUAC secretary, said there was no agreement between the union and the FCTA management on any of the demands presented.
JUAC stated that claims relating to the payment of wage awards, rural allowances, promotion arrears for 2023 and adherence to public service rules were inaccurate.
According to the union, such assertions were “false, premature, and intended to misinform the public and staff”.
The congress further clarified that the ongoing strike had neither been suspended nor eased, insisting that industrial action remains fully in force.
“JUAC has not suspended, withdrawn or relaxed its position on the industrial action because none of the core demands has been conclusively implemented or verified,” the statement said.
JUAC also distanced itself from comments attributed to the Association of Resident Doctors of the FCTA, saying they did not reflect the position of the wider workforce.
“The statement credited to the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD-FCTA) does not represent the collective position of workers under JUAC and cannot be used to justify the false narrative that issues have been resolved,” it said.
The union outlined several unresolved grievances, including unpaid promotion arrears, failure to remit National Housing Fund and pension deductions, alleged illegal tenure elongation, irregular promotion examinations, staff intimidation, poor training opportunities and salary payment constraints.
JUAC criticised attempts by the FCTA management to shift responsibility for statutory deductions to workers, describing the move as “unacceptable and contrary to established public service financial regulations”.
“The ongoing strike action remains lawful, justified and in full compliance with labour laws, having followed due process after expiration of the seven-day ultimatum,” the union said.
“All workers should remain resolute, united and committed to the collective struggle until all demands are fully implemented.”
While reaffirming its openness to negotiations, the union warned that it would resist pressure tactics.
“JUAC remains open to genuine dialogue but will not succumb to misinformation, intimidation or divide-and-rule tactics,” the statement added.