Anambra judiciary workers suspend strike

The Anambra State branch of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria on Thursday suspended its four months strike.

It asked its members to resume work on Monday, January 4.

In a release signed by the state Chairman of the union, Mr. Mark Ifezue, and made available to newsmen in Awka, the state capital, JUSUN said the suspension of the strike was as a result of the agreement it reached with the state government.

The release partly read, “Following the resolution of the industrial dispute between the state branch of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria and the Anambra State Government, as shown in the agreement entered between the parties, this 31st day of December, 2015, the industrial action embarked upon by the judiciary workers of Anambra State on the 7th day of September, 2015 is hereby suspended.

” The union appreciates the efforts of the leadership of NBA in Anambra State towards the resolution of the crisis, particularly the Committee of Bar Chairmen and Secretaries. The union in a special way appreciates the efforts of the intervention group, co-chaired by the Emeritus Chairman of the NLC, Charles Onyeagba and Chuka Obele Chuka.“

The union also appreciates the fatherly role of Chief Joseph Okonkwo (Ofiadiunu) for his intervention which led to the breaking of the impasse.”It was gathered that the state government had agreed to pay the court workers their September and October salaries in two instalments, instead of thrice as it earlier offered.

According to the new government offer, the workers’ December salary would be paid upon resumption of work on Monday while September and October salaries would be paid along with January and February salaries, respectively.

On the Consolidated Judiciary Salary Structure that was the crux of the strike, the government agreed to look into it by the third quarter of this year.

The News Agency of Nigeria reported that the recurrent expenditure stood at N39. 5bn, representing 52.85 per cent while capital expenditure was N35.2bbn indicating 47.15 per cent.

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