JUSUN suspends 4 months strike in Awka

The Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) in Anambra on Tuesday suspended its four month-old strike which it commenced in January.

The Chairman of the union, Mr Mark Ifezue, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Awka that the suspension followed an agreement between the union and the state government.

Ifezue said that the state government had agreed to implement the judgment of Jan. 13, 2014.

He directed all members to immediately resume duty and redouble their efforts to cover lost grounds.

“The strike was suspended because the union entered an agreement with the state government that funds budgeted for the judiciary will be released to the head of courts, including personnel, overhead and capital votes of judiciary.

“We signed a Memorandum of Understanding that the implementation would commence with effect from April, 2015,” Ifezue said.

He, however, warned that if government failed to release the funds, workers would be forced to resume with the strike.

In a separate interview, the Chief Registrar of the state Judiciary, Mrs Doris Ezeani, commended members of the union for suspending the strike.

Ezeani expressed confidence that the appointment of eight new judges as well as the employment of new members of staff for the state judiciary would help boost and cover lost grounds.

The workers embarked on the industrial action to demand for financial autonomy for the judiciary.