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Abia govt signs MoU with striking judiciary workers union 

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Abia govt signs MoU with striking judiciary workers union 

The Abia state government, Thursday, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Abia state branch of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) to bring an end to its lingering strike  action  which had paralysed activities in courts.

A statement signed by the Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu and made available to journalists in Umuahia on Thursday, explained  that the agreement followed the conclusion of negotiations between the state government and the union.

Kanu said that JUSUN will convene  its   congress as soon as possible to officially call off the strike.

He explained that as a result of the signing of the MoU between  both parties, all differences in the implementation of the Consolidated Judicial Salary Structure (CONJUSS) have  been resolved.

According to the release,“Government has  announced that the agreed additional amount to be paid to JUSUN is being processed for remittance.

“Government therefore expects that the ongoing strike action be called off  immediately to pave the way for the reopening of our courts.”

It will be recalled that  the striking JUSUN members had on Wednesday morning  staged a protest and prayer session  in front of the State High court, along  Ikot Ekpene road, Umuahia  demanding payment of their salaries.

This came amidst ongoing discussions between JUSON leaders and Abia state government over measures to  reach a common ground.

The state governor, Dr. Alex Otti, had at a ceremony, last week, made it clear that he was not owing staff of the Judiciary any salary arrears.

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He disclosed that he had in December last year, released a total of N310 million to their  management to pay salaries, based on the  approved new minimum wage, including the 13th month pay, while discussions on adjustments continued with JUSON.

He  said he was surprised that management of the Judiciary had  since withheld  that money, even as staff went on strike.

Otti, however, said government has open to discussions with the union leaders on the implementation of their necessary salary adjustments.

JUSON is claiming to be autonomous and demanding a higher minimum wage of above N90,000 per month as against Government approved N70,000 per month for other civil servants.

The union is also  arguing that their salaries should be calculated based on JUSON new minimum wage, asserting that in view of its autonomy, it is the Judiciary Service commission (JSC), not Abia state government that ought to verify the staff.

In  a reaction to the protest/ prayer session by JUSON  workers, Abia state government  had expressed  surprise over what it described as ‘the unnecessary protest.’

Speaking in an interview with newsmen in his office, the Commissioner for Information, Prince Kanu had decried the  situation, saying that the leadership of JUSON seems to be playing politics with the issue of the salary of Judiciary Workers.

The commissioner reiterated  that there was an ongoing meeting between government and the leadership of JUSON,  which rose Tuesday night to  continue on Wednesday,  by 5pm.

He hinted that with the information at his disposal, some reasonable level of progress have been made and expressed surprise that JUSON should organize a protest even after making quite some progress with the government at the meeting.

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According to the Commissioner, “It does appear that there is some level of insincerity, some politics that is not well-headed in this matter.

“I say so because I’m aware that a meeting was held yesterday and that meeting lasted into the night between the government and judiciary workers. That meeting ended very late and they agreed to reconvene by 5pm (Wednesday 22nd).

“From the brief I got, some substantial progress was  made with  regards to discussions meant  to find a common  ground between government and the judiciary workers.

“So, it comes as a surprise to me  that it is not yet 5pm and this people have gone to congregate to protest using prayers as a cover  without waiting to attend that meeting for 5 o’clock.

“It does appear that there is a disconnect between the leadership of Judiciary workers and their members.  Their leaders couldn’t have come to negotiate with the government only last night and today  engage in a protest. There is a problem somewhere.

“In fact a lot of people from  the side of government were surprised to hear that such a thing even happened because they were waiting to reconvene again by 5.00pm today so that they can continue with their discussions and apparently come to some agreements,  so that this whole issue will come to an end,” Prince Kanu stated.

Kanu reiterated that Governor Alex Otti  is  committed to the welfare of workers in Abia state  maintaining that from the inception of the administration he  has been paying workers regularly every month   sometimes  before the 28th of the month , while the subvention  that should go to any other other arm of government or MDA has always been remitted  accordingly.

The Information  boss had advised the leadership of JUSUN to be sincere and ensure they take the welfare of their workers seriously and stop playing politics with the welfare of their workers. The leadership of the Judiciary Workers should sit down with government officials to reach  the right agreements that will be beneficial to all the parties involved.

“They have to come clean  and think seriously about the welfare of their workers. Their fate is in their own hands.

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“I believe, that because of the compassionate disposition of the Governor, if this committee that  met with the government has had some agreements in place,  the governor would have  been more than willing to implement such an agreement. If the leadership of the judiciary is playing politics, they should consider  the welfare of their workers and sit down and discuss with government  to end  this whole saga,” Prince Kanu had cautioned.