From Musa Muhammad Kutama, Calabar
Magistrates in Cross River State have embarked on a two-week warning strike to protest unresolved issues concerning allowances, salary increments, promotions, and other welfare demands.
The strike, which started on Wednesday, November 27, 2024, follows the government’s failure to address an 8-point demand outlined by the Magistrates Association of Nigeria (MAN), Cross River State Chapter.
The announcement of the strike was made in a joint statement issued by the Chairman of MAN, Godwin Onah, and the Secretary-General, Solomon Abuo.
The union’s decision to take this action comes after several attempts to engage the state government, including a letter sent to Governor Bassey Otu on November 11, 2024, and an extended deadline of November 22, 2024, for government intervention.
In the statement, the union expressed frustration over the government’s failure to meet its demands despite repeated appeals.
The union’s communiqué, dated November 5, 2024, outlined eight critical demands, including salary increments, improved allowances, and the resolution of promotion issues, among others.
“We hereby issue this bulletin to inform the public that following the government’s failure to respond to our demands, the state chapter of the Magistrates Association of Nigeria has resolved to proceed with a two-week warning strike effective from 6:00 AM on Wednesday, November 27, 2024, until Wednesday, December 11, 2024,” the statement read.
The union also warned that if their demands are not met by the end of the warning strike, they would escalate their action to an indefinite strike until all issues are fully addressed.
“We call on all Magistrates across the state to ensure full compliance and solidarity in this struggle. Should the government fail to meet our demands, we will have no choice but to proceed with an indefinite strike,” the statement continued.
The ongoing strike will see magistrates halting court proceedings across the state, leaving many awaiting justice without the normal judicial operations. The Magistrates Association has called for solidarity, with the expectation that the state government will take immediate steps to address the grievances raised by its judicial staff.
As the strike continues, all eyes are on the state government to see if a resolution will be reached before the warning strike concludes on December 11, 2024.