The Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC) has cautioned the Federal Government that the three-day warning strike embarked upon by public servants could develop into a total industrial action in the coming weeks if their demands are not addressed.
The council issued the warning after declaring that the three-day strike, which ended yesterday, achieved about 65 per cent compliance across federal and state public services.
According to the JNPSNC, Akwa Ibom, Oyo, Osun, Kaduna, Sokoto and Gombe States recorded full compliance with the action, while other states experienced varying levels of participation.
The council said the industrial action had attracted considerable public attention, noting that many members of the public viewed the decision to embark on the warning strike as justified.
It therefore called on the Federal Government to take advantage of the temporary suspension of industrial action to engage its national leadership and negotiate on the demands of public servants before the next stage of the dispute.
In an update made available to newsmen by the JNPSNC National Secretary, Comrade Olowoyo Gbenga, the council warned that any subsequent strike would be total and could receive stronger support and solidarity from other labour organisations and stakeholders.
The council also disclosed that strategic meetings had begun to mobilise and sensitise public servants across the country ahead of another phase of industrial action, which it said could commence within the next few weeks.
He said, “Consequent upon the outcome of the warning strike, it is advisable for the federal government to use the period of the lull in action to engage the national leadership of JNPSNC because the next action will be a total strike.
“The demands of public servants remained unambiguous: slash the astronomical fuel prices; the federal government should review salaries and allowances to public servants; and the federal government should set up a tripartite committee for the 2027 new National Minimum Wage.”
The council further reaffirmed its commitment to pursuing the three demands on behalf of public servants across Nigeria.
“The National leadership of JNPSNC wants to reiterate the commitment of millions of public servants in Nigeria to the above-listed three demands without doubt.
“Appropriate strategic meetings have commenced in earnest to ensure that public servants across the country are sensitised towards the next struggle ahead within the next few weeks.
“The federal government should take cognisance of the public consciousness that the three-strikes law has attracted and be proactive in preventing spontaneous public reactions. No retreat, no surrender.”
The JNPSNC maintained that millions of public servants remained committed to the demands and urged the Federal Government to pay attention to the growing awareness among workers following the warning strike.
It also called on the government to take early steps to resolve the issues in order to avoid possible spontaneous reactions from workers and members of the public.
