Staff of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), under the umbrella of the Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC), have ended their three-day protest over unresolved grievances, including unpaid salaries and prolonged industrial disputes. The workers have now issued a fresh 21-day ultimatum to the FCT administration to address their demands.
The protest, which began on Monday, June 30, was in response to what the union described as the FCT Minister’s refusal to engage with key issues affecting staff welfare. Among the demands are the immediate payment of salaries, resolution of the FCT primary school teachers’ strike, and payment of wage awards to health workers. The union is also calling for the removal of the Chairman of the FCT Civil Service Commission, Emeka Ezeh.
Speaking at the final protest gathering on Wednesday, JUAC President, Rifkatu Iortyer, told workers that the leadership of the union had held a meeting with the FCTA management but walked out after officials declined to address the assembled protesters.
“Yesterday, we met with management. Because they did not come out to address you—colleagues who stood under the rain—we walked out,” Iortyer said. “We told them that we are only leading you and conveying your concerns. If they refuse to speak to all of us, we won’t continue the conversation in private.”
According to Iortyer, the union will now follow a structured industrial action process based on International Labour Organisation (ILO) standards. She explained that JUAC will begin with a 21-day notice, followed by a 14-day notice, and a final 7-day notice if no action is taken by the administration.
“We have written the letter for the 21-day ultimatum. After that expires without response, we will give them 14 more days. If nothing happens, we will issue another 7-day notice. If that fails, we will resume action,” she said.
Iortyer assured the protesting workers that the union leadership would not abandon their demands and pledged continued advocacy until the administration responds.
“My sincere prayer is that they hear us. We want them to hear us—that’s why we’ve gathered. But if they don’t, we will not back down. We will pursue the next steps they are avoiding,” she said.
The union is yet to disclose its next course of action should the administration fail to respond after the ultimatum sequence.
