In response to unmet demands by the state administration, the Cross River State branch of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, JUSUN, yesterday morning downed tools and closed all courts in the state.
According to Vanguard, the union had provided multiple notices before to going on an indefinite strike to emphasize its demands.
Members were instructed to stay at home starting yesterday until further notice in a notice posted at the entrance of the state secretariat, Judiciary Headquarters in Calabar, by JUSUN Chairman Enya Ertoti and Assistant Secretary Ashikebesang Eugene.
Entitled: “Notice to commence strike action” read: “Dear Comrades, despite the union’s perseverance and efforts in ensuring a peaceful labour relations between JUSUN and the state government, our demands have remained unaddressed, hence the union has no alternative other than to embark on strike action with effect from May 2, 2023, until our demands are met as stated below:
“Implementation of the Constitutional Provision Autonomy of the Judiciary; Payment of 66 per cent balance of Consolidated Judiciary Salary Structure, CONJUSS;
“Staff promotions (long overdue); Re-inclusion of our staff excluded from the payroll of Cross River State Government since October 2014 and non-payment of salary till date.
“Others are implementation of promotions benefits across board, creation of conducive working environment by building, re-building, renovating and furnishing of all courts in Cross River State Judiciary;
“Payment of gratuity to our retirees from Cross River State Judiciary; Non-payment of salaries to presidents and members of Customary Courts in Cross River State Judiciary, since their appointment in February 2019 to February 2022, among others.”
They further stated that from the foregoing, it was obvious that they had exhausted their patience as they have waited for years for their demands to be met and cannot wait any longer.
“Comrades, you are hereby directed to stay at home with effect from this day stated above till further notice,” the union stated.