Workers Strike Paralyses Courts In Rivers

Activities at various federal courts sitting in Rivers State, including the Court of Appeal  were last Monday paralysed, following the indefinite strike action embarked upon by the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria across the country.

The judiciary staff workers are said to be protesting the non-implementation of the enhanced judiciary staff salary structure by the Federal Government.

The Tide reporter who visited the federal High Courts and Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt, reports that various offices in the establishment were locked, adding that lawyers and litigants were seen moving within the courts premises.

Speaking to newsmen in Port Harcourt on the strike, the Public Relations Officer of the union in the state, Mr Cletus Kunle said the strike was as a result of the inability of the Federal Government to pay the consolidated judiciary staff salary to the workers.

According to him, the strike was indefinite until the Federal Government adhered to the terms of agreement which the state government had already complied with.

He averred that the strike would not be called off unless the Federal Government  paid the new wage to the workers, adding that the industrial action also affected the Indus trial Court in the state.

Some lawyers, who spoke to The Tide expressed disappointment and surprise over the incident, adding that the situation would cause a setback on dispensation of justice in the state.

The lawyers urged the Federal Government to dialogue with the workers in order to find solution to the problem and added that the continued closure of the court premises by the union was not for the good interest of the nation.

It will be recalled that the judiciary workers union of Nigeria embarked on indefinite strike across the country to protest the non implementation of the consolidated judicial staff salaries for both federal and States workers in the judiciary sector.