Cross River judicial staff begins five-day warning strike

The Cross River State branch of the Judicial staff union of Nigeria (JUSUN) has embarked on a five-day warning strike to register their demands.

The state chairman of the union in a notice signed by comrade Etorti E.E. stated that the warning strike is the last resort since the state government has consistently for nine years neglected the welfare of the body.

In the nine-point demands listed include payrolling employed members, payment of gratuity, and increased staff strength among other salient issues.

JUSUN noted that “failure by the government to comply with their demands within the stated period of the warning shall leave them with no other alternative than to embark on an indefinite industrial action.
The notice read thus:
All members of the Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) Cross River State branch are hereby directed to stay at home for five (5) days with effect from the 20th day of February 2023 since the state government has totally refused to implement for (9) years now the following demands:
1.) Implementation of the constitutional provision of the independence and financial autonomy of the judiciary.
2.) Payment of 66% balance of the Consolidated Judiciary Structure (CONJUSS).
3.) Conduction of staff promotion (stagnated for too long).
4.) Re-inclusion of our staff excluded from the payroll of Cross River State government since October 2014 and non-payment of their salaries till date.
5.) Implementation of 2014 promotion benefits across boards.
6.) Recruitment of staff (acute shortage of staff strength).
7.) Payment of gratuity to our retirees.
8.) Creating a conducive working environment for the judiciary.
9.) Non-payment of salaries to the president and members of the customary court in Cross River State judiciary since their appointment in 2019 to February 2022, which has rendered the customary courts impotent.
Thanks, aluta continua.

By: Archibong Emmanuel
(Snr. Reporter)