The end of Unionism in Nigeria - Chikeluba

Last year witnessed the protracted strike action by the academic staff Union of Universities (ASUU). The Union embarked on the action apparently as a final resort towards forcing the hand of the erstwhile President Buhari's administration to quit the plan to enlist their members in the paylist of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).




The prolonged battle that followed between the FG and ASUU, grounded academic activities in public Universities. It finally took the intervention of the judiciary to halt the power rumble, to the obvious delight of the FG.

While the strike lasted however, FG in it's notoriety, activated the 'no work, no pay rule' , for the striking workers, who would have thought that it would be business as usual, a situation where all monies and emoluments accruable within the period, would be offsetted. That wasn't to be, alas, as the APC government was bent on asphyxiating ASUU, insisted that they forfeited those Rights and benefits for the period they downed tools.


This position of government received the validation of the industrial Court who ruled recently in favour of the forfeiture, setting a precedent that will undoubtedly apply to future strikes.

As it relates to our environment, anything that threatens a man's pocket, doesn't attract his patronage. This latest event will no doubt checkmate strike or prolonged strike by the members of the academia. But is this truly a win for government? It should be, but a loss for the system.

The initial practice meant that lecturers and Tertiary Institutions workers can embark on industrial action, and force concessions from government, this oils the wheels of the education sector, enhancing its sustenance. But going forward with current realities might mean that the students who are at the receiving end, bear the brunt.

Now to the general Labour Union in the country, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the trending subsidy removal on PMS, has proven to be the first tussle NLC will engage with the Tinubu's administration. Perhaps unknown to the Labour leaders, they may be having their last bite on the FG, whichever way you look at it.

The Court order restraining the Union and its affiliates from embarking on any strike, didn't come as a surprise, I'd have expected the NLC to take to civil disobedience, as a final resort to salvage the citizenry.

It was however disappointing, seeing the capitulation coming from the NLC and its counterpart, the Trade Union Congress (TUC).  In suspending the strike, it has become clear that the days of organized Labour being a force to reckon with in government has gone.

The current APC government is politically savvy, and affluently corrupt, Nigerians should devise other means to checkmate government excesses.

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