Judiciary workers call off 6-month strike in Enugu

Judiciary workers under the aegis of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) in Enugu State have called off their six-month old strike in the state.

The suspension followed a four-hour discussion between the state governor, Mr Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, and the leadership of the union led by its Chairman, Mr Chinedu Mba, in Enugu, Wednesday.

Briefing newsmen at the end of the meeting, Mba therefore, directed all members to resume work immediately.

“I am calling on workers to resume work immediately. I thank God that after having discussion with His Excellency for the past four hours on the way forward to resolve the issue, we have successfully achieved our aim,’’ he said.

The chairman said that the governor had agreed to abide by the terms of agreement earlier signed by the immediate past administration and the union.

“The governor promised that if the economy improves, he will pay us the Consolidated Judiciary Salary Structure (CONDUS),’’ Mba said.

He, however, said that the union would have another meeting with the governor by December.

Mba explained that shortly after the meeting with the governor, they conferred with the National President of the Union who directed that the strike should be suspended immediately, just as he used the opportunity to call on members of the union to resume work immediately and to attend a congress meeting on Friday for briefing.

The state Solicitor General/Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Mr Victor Emeribe, described the agreement as a welcome development.

“You can imagine, for the past six months, we have not been going to court except perhaps for the Federal High Court and Court of appeal here in Enugu. I thank God that we had a very fruitful discussion and I thank His Excellency so much,’’ he said.

The JUSUN embarked on a nationwide strike in December last year following its demand for autonomy of the judiciary and payment of CONDUS to its members.