JUSUN issues seven-day ultimatum to FG, threatens indefinite strike

By Miracle Ogunde

The Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Federal Government, warning of an indefinite strike if the new national minimum wage and other benefits are not implemented.

In a communiqué released on Wednesday following an emergency meeting at the JUSUN Secretariat in Abuja, the union stated that the ultimatum would take effect from Thursday, 13 February 2025, and expire on Wednesday, 19 February 2025.

JUSUN warned that failure to meet its demands within this period would lead to an indefinite strike commencing on Thursday, 20 February 2025.

The union is demanding the full implementation of the revised national minimum wage of N77,000, along with other entitlements for judicial workers.

JUSUN has been engaged in a prolonged dispute with the Federal Government over the non-implementation of the new wage structure, despite other public sector workers already benefiting from it.

The judiciary workers had earlier issued a 21-day ultimatum, which expired without any government action.

The communiqué reads: “The meeting principally centered on the expiration of the twenty-one (21) day ultimatum issued to all Heads of Federal Courts, FCT Courts, and Judicial Bodies.

“That after exhaustive deliberations, the following resolution was reached. That an additional seven (7) days’ notice is hereby given for the full implementation of the subject matter in line with relevant guidelines governing industrial disputes and the urgent intervention of the Hon. Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun.

“That the seven (7) days commence on Thursday, February 13, 2025, and ends on Wednesday, February 19, 2025.

“That failure to implement our demands within this stipulated time frame will mean the union cannot guarantee industrial harmony. Consequently, the strike will commence indefinitely from Thursday, February 20, 2025.”

JUSUN has called on the Federal Government to take immediate action to avert a nationwide disruption of judicial activities.