Osun LG Crisis: Labour Endorses Strike, Plans Picketing Of UBA Branches

Organised Labour in Osun State has thrown its weight behind the seven-day ultimatum issued by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to the Federal and Osun State governments over the continued withholding of statutory allocations to local government councils in the state.

The Joint Labour Movements, comprising the NLC, Trade Union Congress (TUC) and Joint Negotiating Council (JNC), described the prolonged withholding of the funds as an injustice against local government workers and residents, warning that the situation had worsened economic hardship at the grassroots.

The position was contained in a joint statement issued in Osogbo on Monday and signed by the state chairmen of the three labour organisations: Comrades Christopher Arapasopo (NLC), Bimbo Fasaasi (TUC) and Lekan Adediran (JNC).

The unions expressed concern over the continued financial disruption in local government administration, noting that workers and vulnerable residents had borne the brunt of the crisis.

“We consider the prolonged withholding of these funds since February 2025 a grave injustice against local government workers and a direct assault on their economic security, welfare, dignity and fundamental rights,” the statement said.

Organised Labour maintained that local government employees should not be made to suffer the consequences of political disagreements, administrative controversies or power struggles among institutions.

While acknowledging the intervention of the Osun State Government in ensuring the payment of workers’ net salaries, the unions argued that salary payments alone could not adequately address the wider consequences of the prolonged dispute.

They explained that the disruption had affected allowances, cooperative deductions, gratuities and other legitimate entitlements of local government employees.

“Consequently, Organised Labour fully endorses the seven-day ultimatum issued by the NLC, Osun State Council, to the Federal Government and Osun State Government, and calls on the relevant authorities to urgently comply with the demands contained in the communiqué,” the statement added.

The labour movements also declared support for a planned three-day sympathy strike scheduled for November 8 to 11, 2026, as well as peaceful picketing of United Bank for Africa (UBA) branches across Osun State from November 12, should the dispute remain unresolved.

They described the proposed industrial actions as legitimate expressions of workers’ collective resistance against injustice and measures aimed at protecting the livelihoods, rights and future of local government employees.

“Organised Labour will not fold its arms while the welfare and survival of its members are subjected to prolonged uncertainty and avoidable hardship,” the statement said.

The unions urged their affiliates, workers and other stakeholders to remain united and steadfast in solidarity with affected local government employees, while calling on both levels of government to demonstrate the political will needed to resolve the impasse without further delay.

Reaffirming their commitment to the welfare of the affected workers, the labour movements declared: “An injury to one is an injury to all.”