The Joint Union Action Congress (JUAC) of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has rejected claims by the FCTA management that most of the workers’ demands have been met, insisting that no agreement has been reached and that the ongoing strike remains in force.
Workers under the FCTA commenced an indefinite strike on Monday over what the union described as the authorities’ failure to resolve long-standing labour and welfare issues.
In response to the industrial action, Mr. Lere Olayinka, media aide to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr. Nyesom Wike, said in a statement that the administration had addressed 10 of the 14 demands submitted by the unions, adding that efforts were ongoing to resolve the remaining four.
However, JUAC dismissed the claim, describing it as misleading. In a statement issued on Tuesday and signed by its secretary, Mr. Abdullahi Umar Saleh, the union stated that no “formal agreement has been reached between JUAC and the FCTA management on any of the demands presented”.
The union denied assertions that issues such as the payment of wage awards, rural allowance, 2023 promotion arrears, and compliance with public service rules had been resolved, describing the claims as “false, premature, and intended to misinform the public and staff”.
JUAC further clarified that it has neither suspended nor relaxed the strike, stressing that the industrial action remains fully in effect.
“JUAC has not suspended, withdrawn or relaxed its position on the industrial action because none of the core demands has been conclusively implemented or verified,” the statement read.
Addressing reports attributed to the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD-FCTA), the union said such comments did not reflect the collective position of workers under its umbrella.
“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.
JUAC listed several unresolved issues, including unpaid promotion arrears, non-remittance of National Housing Fund (NHF) and pension deductions, alleged illegal tenure elongation, a flawed promotion examination process, intimidation of staff, inadequate training, and restrictions on the salary payment portal.
The union also 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”.
According to JUAC, the strike action followed due process and remains lawful, having commenced after the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum.
“The ongoing strike action remains lawful, justified and in full compliance with labour laws,” the statement said. “All workers should remain resolute, united, and committed to the collective struggle until all demands are fully implemented.”
While reaffirming its willingness to engage in dialogue, JUAC warned against misinformation and intimidation.
“JUAC remains open to genuine dialogue but will not succumb to misinformation, intimidation or divide-and-rule tactics,” the union added.
