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By Madu Obi
Members of the Anambra State branch of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), have announced an indefinite strike action effective Monday, July 15, 2024 to drive home their demand for enhanced pay and allowances.
Notice for the immediate commencement of the strike has been copied to all Directors, Deputy Directors, Assistant Chief Registrars, Registrars in-charge, and staff of the Anambra State Judiciary.
The Anambra State Assistant Secretary of the union, Nwezi Ugochukwu, in a statement after their Congress, said the decision to embark on the strike followed the failure of the Anambra State government to comply with the agreements reached in 2011 and 2015 with the state JUSUN.
According to Ugochukwu, the agreements centered on the full implementation of the Consolidated Judiciary Salary Structure (CONJUSS), a peculiar allowance for judiciary staff in the state.
He regretted that despite the expiration of the 21-day ultimatum issued to the state government by the union, government has failed to meet the demands of the judiciary workers.
The notice released on Saturday read: "The strike action is indefinite and all staff of the Anambra State Judiciary have been directed to withdraw their services until further directives from the union.
"The public is advised to take note of the strike action and make necessary arrangements, as all court sittings and judicial activities will be suspended until further notice.
JUSUN has vowed to continue the strike until their demands are met by the state government .The indefinite strike action by the JUSUN is a culmination of the failure of the Anambra State government to honour the agreements reached with the union.
The strike is expected to have significant implications for the judiciary and the public in Anambra State."
The demand for the payment of the peculiar judiciary allowance for Anambra JUSUN has lingered for the past 13 years and at various times, the union and the state government had signed agreements on the way forward.
For instance, in the agreement by JUSUN and the former Head of Service, HOS, of Anambra State, Mr. Harry Udu, on December 31, 2015, the two parties agreed in principle to implement the CONSUSS when the finances of the state improved.
JUSUN officials argued weekend that although the revenue of the state has since improved, the state government has continued to renege on its promise.
They observed that as it stands, JUSUN workers in Anambra State are the least paid in the country.
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