NLC suspends indefinite strike, directs teachers to resume

“On vacancy provision for education officers, it was resolved that promotion vacancies for education officers will align with established positions declared by the FCT Education Secretariat,” Adalo said.

He added that the council noted that the upcoming exit of directorate officers would clear the way for the upward mobility of eligible officers.

The agreement is expected to address concerns about career advancement among education officers by linking promotions to available positions within the established staffing structure.

The communiqué did not specify the number of vacancies expected to become available or provide a timeline for the affected officers’ promotions.

New Date to Be Announced for 2025 Promotion Examination

The negotiations also addressed the promotion examination scheduled for 2025, which had remained a concern for eligible candidates.

Adalo said that, following approval by the FCT Executive Council and subsequent communication to the FCT Civil Service Commission, a new date would be announced for the examination.

The arrangement is intended to give qualified candidates an opportunity to sit for the examination, which forms part of the promotion process.

“Also, following approval from the FCT Executive Council and subsequent communication to the FCT Civil Service Commission on the 2025 promotion examination, a new date will be announced to allow qualified candidates to take the examination,” he said.

The union did not announce a specific date for the examination, leaving the scheduling details to the relevant authorities.

The resolution places responsibility on the FCT administration and the appropriate civil service authorities to communicate the revised examination date and facilitate the process for eligible officers.

Deployment of Retired-Age Teachers Put on Hold

Another major issue addressed during the negotiations was the deployment of officers benefiting from the Harmonised Retirement Age for Teachers back into classrooms.

Adalo said stakeholders agreed to maintain the existing directive of the FCT Executive Council, effectively suspending the deployment process until further notice.

“Regarding the deployment of officers benefiting from the Harmonised Retirement Age for Teachers back into classrooms, stakeholders agreed to maintain the FCT Executive Council’s directive, stepping down the process until further notice,” he said.

The resolution means the process will remain on hold while the existing directive continues to apply.

The communiqué did not provide further details about the number of officers affected or indicate when the deployment issue would be reviewed.

The matter had formed part of the wider labour disagreements that prompted the union to embark on industrial action, alongside concerns about teachers’ career progression and administrative decisions affecting education workers.

NLC Establishes Monitoring Committee, Threatens Fresh Strike

Despite suspending the strike, the NLC said it would establish a dedicated monitoring committee to ensure that the FCTA and other relevant authorities implement the agreements within specified timelines.

Adalo warned that failure by the authorities to honour the resolutions would trigger an automatic resumption of the strike without prior notice.

The warning signals that the union considers implementation of the agreements essential to sustaining industrial peace and preventing another disruption of public services.

The monitoring committee is expected to track compliance with the resolutions, although the communiqué did not disclose its membership or provide details of the timelines against which implementation would be assessed.

Adalo also assured workers who participated in the industrial action that no employee or teacher would face reprisals, penalties or victimisation for joining the strike.

He said the union had secured a binding agreement protecting workers against punitive measures arising from their participation in the action.

The NLC chairman commended FCT teachers for their resilience and praised the solidarity shown by affiliate unions, the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, and FCTA management during the negotiations.

Strike Began on October 7

The suspension follows the NLC’s directive of October 7 ordering workers across the FCTA to begin an indefinite strike over unresolved labour disputes and policy grievances affecting teachers.

The directive covered workers across the FCT Administration, including those in the private sector, according to the union’s earlier announcement.

The industrial action placed pressure on the parties to resolve the outstanding issues through negotiations, with the latest discussions producing agreements on promotion vacancies, the rescheduling of the 2025 promotion examination and the temporary suspension of the deployment process involving teachers benefiting from the harmonised retirement age.

With the strike suspended, affected workers, particularly primary and secondary school teachers, have been directed to return to their duties on Wednesday.

The continuation of industrial harmony will depend on whether the FCTA and the relevant authorities implement the agreements reached with the unions.

The NLC has made clear that it is prepared to resume the strike without further notice if the commitments are not fulfilled.