By Bimbola Oyesola
As the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) intensified mobilisation for the two day nationwide protest over the unending crisis in the education sector, the National Union of Civil Engineering Construction, Furniture and Wood Workers (NUCECFWW), has threatened to shut down activities in the construction industry in solidarity with the striking unions in the education sector.
In a statement jointly signed by its President, Stephen Okoro, and General Secretary, Ibrahim Walama, on Friday, NUCECFWW said the union was putting its members at alert for the solidarity strike in line with the decision of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC.
“We wish to state unequivocally that our union shall, in solidarity with ASUU, NASU, SSANU, and in alliance with NLC, shut down activities in the construction industry.
“This is in solidarity with unions in the education sector, to drive home their demands for improved welfare package and effective sustenance of Nigerian universities development goal,” it said.
The striking unions in the education sector include Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU, and Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Allied Institutions, SANU.
NUCECFWW expressed worry that the lingering ASUU strike would impact negatively on students’ academic performances.
It said that halting learning for a long time would affect students’ reading abilities.