Osun JUSUN Rejects NBA Directive, Insists Strike Won’t End Without Agreement

By Adedamola Odeyemi, Osogbo

The Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), Osun State branch, has rejected the directive issued by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) asking the union to call off its ongoing strike, insisting that the industrial action will not be suspended without a formal agreement between all parties involved.

In a letter signed by its chairman on Wednesday, Comrade Idris Adedayo Adeniran, and addressed to the NBA Osun State chairman, the union acknowledged receiving the December 6 letter jointly issued by the five NBA branches in the state. JUSUN, however, expressed shock over what it described as a one-sided and biased communication by the lawyers’ association.

According to JUSUN, the NBA lacks the authority to compel the state government or the union to end a lawful strike that is centered on legitimate welfare demands. The union argued that workers in other ministries and parastatals had enjoyed similar benefits for two years while judiciary staff were left behind.

Comrade Adeniran accused the NBA of protecting the Honourable Chief Judge, whom JUSUN said had failed to convene a Judicial Service Commission meeting for three years despite repeated appeals. He noted that the Chief Judge also failed to engage the union on the issues that led to the strike, which began on September 19.

He stated that the Chief Judge had made no effort to dialogue with the striking workers since the commencement of the industrial action, describing the lack of engagement as a major cause of the prolonged dispute.

JUSUN stressed that neither the government nor the Chief Judge has the legal power to unilaterally order the suspension of the strike. Adeniran said an industrial action can only be resolved through negotiation and mutual agreement, not by directive.

“However, we wish to respectfully inform you that the government and the Honourable Chief Judge do not have the power to unilaterally direct JUSUN to suspend the ongoing strike. It is a fundamental principle of labour relations that an industrial strike can only be suspended or called off with an agreement between parties,” Adeniran Said.

He added that the strike became inevitable after the Chief Judge allegedly failed to address long-standing issues affecting JUSUN members, despite repeated attempts by the union to initiate dialogue. He described the NBA’s intervention as premature and an attempt that could undermine the collective bargaining process.

“As you are aware, our strike is a direct result of the Honourable Chief Judge’s failure to address the long-overdue legitimate demands of JUSUN members, despite numerous attempts at negotiation. It’s regrettable that we’re being forced to take this stance, but we cannot continue to be ignored and marginalized,” he said.

JUSUN also faulted the four-point directive issued by the NBA, describing it as an affront to labour rights and the principles of collective bargaining. The union maintained that it will not be pressured to return to work without a concrete resolution of outstanding issues.

Adeniran urged the NBA to respect the rights of judicial workers and support meaningful dialogue, emphasizing that the union remains committed to constructive engagement with any willing party.

He concluded by affirming the determination of JUSUN members to continue the strike until their demands are resolved, declaring, “Workers United Can Never be defeated!”