Magistrates embark on three days warning strike in Cross River

Judiciary workers under the auspices of the Magistrates Association of Nigeria (MAN), Cross River State chapter, have begun a three-day warning strike over issues bordering on personnel welfare and unmet demands by the state government.

In a strike notice signed by the Chairman, His Worship Godwin Onah, and Secretary, Solomon Abuo, on November 27, 2024, the association accused the state government of failing to implement the eight demands related to their welfare.

The legal practitioners disclosed this in a bulletin following a resolution reached after the association’s Congress held in Calabar.

The Magistrates Association stated that the strike, which commenced on November 27 and will last until November 29, 2024, will escalate into an indefinite strike if the state government fails to meet their demands.

The association had, two weeks ago, issued a letter giving the government a seven-day warning, threatening to embark on a two-week industrial action.

*”Sequel to our letter to the Governor of Cross River State dated November 11, 2024, wherein the notice of strike was extended to Friday, November 22, 2024, to enable the state government to attend to our demands, and having failed to do so till date, we hereby issue this bulletin.

“In line, therefore, with our Congress resolution to proceed on a warning strike, a three-day warning strike is hereby declared by the state chapter of the Magistrates Association of Nigeria.

“In the first instance, effective from 6 a.m. on Wednesday, November 27, 2024, to Friday, November 29, 2024. And should the state government fail to meet our demands, an indefinite strike shall be embarked upon until all our demands are fully met,”* the statement partly read.

The association directed all magistrates across the state to ensure effective compliance by all court staff.

The strike action comes barely a day after civil and public servants in the state, under organized labor, called off their two-day warning strike over the non-implementation of the new minimum wage of N70,000.