Society
Labour Unions’ Key Sympathizer Tells Why NLC/TUC Strike Action Is Wrong
“this suggests is that this planned action has an ulterior motive”
A major sympathizer of the Labour unions has disassociated from the Strike called by the Nigerian Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).
Richard AkinnolaII, the respected name in rights activism provided the reasons for his stance in a write up with the header “NLC/TUC RED HERRING”.
It reads…
“On this page, some people attacked me for condemning the brutalization of Joe Ajaero in Owerri. I still stand by my condemnation.
The Inspector-General of police set up an investigative team to unravel the circumstances regarding the assault of Joe Ajaero, the NLC president and to identify those behind it. Then, on Friday, the Federal Government secured an injunctive relief, restraining the NLC and TUC from embarking on their planned indefinite strike over the brutalization of Ajaero.
“Despite these, the NLC/TUC claimed they are proceeding with the strike tomorrow. What then this suggests is that this planned action has an ulterior motive, using the assault of Ajaero, which l condemn without any reservations, as a smokescreen.
Right from the time of Hassan Sumonu, l have always supported strikes by the NLC. For me now, for the first time to oppose a proposed strike action, l don’t take it lightly. To me, this proposed strike is just a red herring.
If you disobey a court order, what if tomorrow some of your affiliates obtain court orders against their employers and such orders are disdainfully disobeyed, what moral high ground do you have to compel such employers to obey court orders?
If after the court order and the investigation ordered by the IGP, you still plan to proceed with the strike, this may be interpreted as political subterfuge, dressed in the garb of unionism. Sheer red herring.”
The long-time advocate of a better society made his submission in a Facebook post he made on Monday, November 13, 2023.
