Workers in the construction industry are set to begin a three-day warning strike today.
They premised their action on the alleged failure of their employers, the Federation of Construction Industry (FOCI), to negotiate the payment of N35,000 minimum wage.
The workers, under the aegis of the National Union of Civil Engineering Construction, Furniture and Wood Workers (NUCECFWW) as well as the Construction and Civil Engineering Senior Staff Association (CCESSA), directed their members to begin the warning strike today.
They announced the decision in a notice by NUCECFWW’s General Secretary Ibrahim Walama and CCESSA’s Acting General Secretary Tony Egbule after a joint National Executive Council (NEC) meeting.
The unions are going on the warning strike despite the appeal by the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, for them to shelve the planned action.
The construction workers accused the FOCI of deliberately frustrating negotiations on the wage award, even after the involvement of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment.
The unions urged its members to comply with the directive.
The notice reads: “Following the decision reached at the joint NEC meeting of NUCECFWW and CCESSA held on Thursday, 25 January 2024, over employers (FOCI) to discuss with NUCECFWW and CCESSA the implementation of the wage award agreed between the Federal Government and organised labour, the joint NEC meeting of both unions have directed all members of NUCECFWW and CCESSA to proceed on three days’ warning strike starting from Monday, 5 February 2024, in the first instance to press home our demand”.
“Consequent upon the above, all members across the board are advised to ensure total compliance.
“Meanwhile, officials and members should kindly endeavour to constantly check the relevant platforms of NUCECFWW and CCESSA for necessary information and further directives”.
