Judiciary workers in Osun suspend strike after three months

Judiciary workers in Osun returned to work on Monday following the suspension of the three-month strike embarked upon by the state chapter of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN).

Judiciary workers in the state had in November 2023 embarked on the strike to press for better conditions of service.

On March 6, Oluwagbenga Eludire, Osun JUSUN chairman, had in a statement directed judiciary workers in the state to resume work on Monday.

Eludire said the suspension of the strike was premised on the tripartite agreement between the Osun government, management of the Osun judiciary, and JUSUN.

He said one of the terms of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed was that the judiciary service commission would convene a meeting within seven days of suspension of the strike, to ensure that other demands of the union are met.

“The commission is to attend to other demands of the union which include regularisation and promotion of all qualified staff,” NAN quoted Eludire as saying.

“Also, there shall be no form of intimidation of judiciary officers or members of JUSUN for participating in the just suspended strike.”

He also commended Ademola Adeleke, governor of Osun, and Wale Egbedun, speaker of the Osun house of assembly, for the intervention that led to the suspension of the strike.

A visit to the high court complex on the Osogbo-Ilobu road by NAN, showed that there was compliance with the directive, as workers were seen entering the court complex as early as 7:30 am.

Some artisans were seen cutting overgrown grasses, cleaning courtrooms and other offices, while a few lawyers were seen driving in and out of the premises which accommodates magistrate and high courts.

A member of the court staff, who pleaded anonymity, said the courts would not be sitting today because of the level of cleaning needed to be done and other arrangements.

He commended the union for putting the interest of members at the forefront “which has led to some drastic changes”.

“I want to thank our union for fighting on our behalf; it was worth it,” he said.