Group Protests Prolonged JUSUN Strike in Anambra

www.odogwublog.com reports that the Peace and Justice Group under the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) in Anambra has staged a peaceful protest calling on the leadership of JUSUN to end its three-month-old strike.
The protesters numbering more than 300 converged on Arroma junction and later moved to the Government House, Awka with various placards.
Addressing newsmen, the leader of the group and a staff of the state judiciary, Mr Chira Ozioma said the protest was staged against the continued strike by JUSUN in the state.
Ozioma said in spite of the state government’s effort to end the strike, the  leadership of JUSUN had refused to sign a proposed agreement reached between  the union and government.
“The strike has lost its purpose and intent as it has been hijacked by some politicians to scuttle Gov. Willie Obiano’s administration,' he said.
He described Gov. Obiano as a “labour-friendly governor” and commended the governor for his maturity in handling the matter.
Some of the placards carried read:”The government proposal on CONJUSS and salary payment plan is acceptable” and “An idle mind is a devil’s workshop: end the strike.”
Others read “we don’t want to die of hunger because of the stubbornness of JUSUN executives,” and “workers want to return to work.”
Receiving the group, the Secretary to the state Government, Prof. Solo Chukwulobelu commended them for their peaceful conduct and assured to present their letter to the governor.
According to him, the Obiano-led administration will continue to remain laour-friendly.
Chukwulobelu expressed the belief that the strike will end soon.
Reacting however, the state chairman of JUSUN, Mr Mark Ifezue, said the union was not bothered by the protest, noting that the protesters were impostors hired to sabotage the union’s efforts.
'We were aware that they hired some students and motorcycle operators to stage the protest.
'Instead of addressing the issues on ground, government chose to split the union and this will not help matters.
'The union is willing to shift grounds when government shows genuine interest in paying September and October salaries of workers,' Ifezue said.
It could be recalled that the state chapter of JUSUN embarked on industrial action on Sept. 7 to compel the government to implement the Consolidated Judiciary Staff Salary Structure.