The Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria in Anambra State has suspended their indefinite strike and instructed all members to return to work on Friday.
According to The PUNCH, the strike began two weeks ago after the state governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, failed to address a 21-day ultimatum issued by the union members.
Due to the strike, court activities in the state were halted, leaving many individuals with pending cases stranded.
On Thursday, a visit to various courts revealed the impact of the strike, as cases were not being heard.
A meeting between Governor Soludo and JUSUN leadership on Wednesday ended without resolution.
An anonymous union member disclosed that the government had not honoured agreements made in 2011 and 2015, which included the full implementation of the Consolidated Judiciary Salary Structure and a specific allowance for judiciary staff.
During the meeting, instead of addressing the strike, Soludo reportedly threatened to replace the striking workers with new recruits.
However, the union announced on Thursday, via a press statement signed by Chairman Ezeoke Ifeanyichukwu and Secretary Nwezi Ugochokwu, that the strike was being suspended following a productive meeting with the governor on July 24, 2024.
The statement noted that the meeting discussed the implementation of the new minimum wage and addressed the CONJUS issue.
Governor Soludo agreed to form a committee to handle the CONJUS matter, prompting the union to call off the strike.
The suspension, which came after two weeks of disrupted court activities, was communicated to judiciary staff through a letter directing them to resume work on Friday, July 26, 2024.
The letter stated, “Sequel to the meeting held between the Governor of Anambra State and the Executives of Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, Anambra State Branch on the 24 of July, being in respect of the Consolidated Judiciary Salary Structure.
“Mr. Governor promised to set up a committee to address the issue of CONJUS after the implementation of the new minimum wage in the state.
“After much deliberations and consideration of the matter by the congress in her emergency meeting held on the 26 of duly, 2024 at the Judiciary Headquarters, High Court of Justice, Awka, the congress reached a decision to suspend the ongoing indefinite strike by the branch.
“In accordance with the decision of the congress, all staff of Anambra State Judiciary are by this notice directed to resume work tomorrow being Friday, the 26 day of July, 2024.”
