Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN), yesterday, reiterated its intention to embark on a nationwide strike tomorrow, if its demands were not met at the expiration of a fresh seven-days ultimatum.
The union is demanding that governors commence immediate implementation of financial autonomy for state assemblies in line with the 1999 Constitution.
The strike would disrupt parliamentary activities across the country.
In a letter of notice written to the chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, Chairman, Forum of Speakers and the Department of State Services (DSS), the workers notified that they had earlier issued a 21-day strike notice.
The notice signed by Agugbue Ugochi Happiness, PASAN acting secretary general, said governors have failed to implement the financial autonomy at the Houses of Assemblies as provided in the Constitution.
The secretary general said the government has failed to meet the union’s demand of financial autonomy to the state assemblies despite numerous letters.
He said this led to an earlier 21-day ultimatum issued on September 18.
“We refer to our letters dated September 18, 2023, and October 7, 2023, on 21 days ultimatum to embark on industrial action if financial autonomy is not implemented in the state Houses of Assembly nationwide by Wednesday, October 18, 2023, and hereby inform you that the leadership of our great union has further extended the ultimatum by one week,” the union said.
The secretary general said PASAN hoped the extension would further avail ample opportunity to meet the demands of the union and avert the industrial action.
“We, therefore, reiterate the union’s preparedness to direct the members to embark on the proposed strike if its demands are not yielded to,” he said.