NUJ kicks as Lagos accuses unions of disrupting operations at state-owned broadcasting outfits

The Lagos state government has accused labour unions of using force to disrupt operations at state-owned broadcasting stations during an ongoing three-day warning strike.

The strike, which began on Monday, involves workers from the Lagos State Broadcasting Corporation (LSBC) protesting the non-payment of the new minimum wage.

A rally was held at the Ikeja headquarters, home to Lagos Television, Radio Lagos/Eko FM, and Lagos Traffic Radio.

Members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the Radio, Television, Theatre and Arts Workers’ Union (RATTAWU), and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) carried placards with messages such as “Give us Oracle” and “All we need is Oracle.”

The unions are demanding inclusion in the state’s Oracle payroll database, which they say will enable them to receive the N85,000 minimum wage paid to other civil servants.

However, the state government has alleged that union members resorted to violence during the rally, forcing their way into studios, shutting down transmission equipment, and disrupting operations.

Afolabi Ayantayo, Lagos commissioner of establishments and training, criticised the unions for their actions, describing them as “disturbing and violent”.

Ayantayo also urged union leaders to refrain from intimidating workers who chose to carry out their duties during the strike.

“They tore down doors and switched off transmitters in a disturbing show of violence — all in the name of a strike,” the statement reads.

“The action was taken by the unionists, who are pushing that about 245 workers should be put on the government’s payroll, despite ongoing talks to resolve the matter.

“A meeting between representatives of the government, led by the honourable commissioner for establishments and training, Mr. Afolabi Ayantayo, and the leadership of the unions was initiated on January 8, 2025, after submissions were made by the management of the broadcast organisations to the ministry of establishments and training.

“However, the labour unions disrupted the transmission of the broadcast stations by shutting down their transmitters and chasing out staff who were on essential duty from the premises. This is a violation of the rights of those workers.

“The leaders of NUJ and RATTAWU are advised to refrain from intimidating staff from carrying out their lawful duty. A strike should not be turned into an attack on the agencies and their workers.”

LAGOS NUJ REACTS AS RALLY CONTINUES

The Lagos state chapter of the NUJ refuted the commissioner’s claims, accusing management of compelling union members to work during the strike under threat of punishment.

In a statement on Tuesday, the union said it would resist any attempt to intimidate its members, adding that workers have a right to protest without fear.

“To set the record straight, the state executives of NLC, NUJ and RATTAWU, are aware that some of these employees who are our members were compelled to report to their duty posts by their management and threatened them never to take part in the ongoing strike,” the statement reads.

“This is unacceptable to us and the unions will resist any attempt or move to hold our members by the jugular.

“Workers have the right to protest in order to press home their demands without any intimidation or fear.

“It is crystal clear that the resolutions of the meeting between the in-house unions of Lagos State Broadcasting Services, and the Lagos State Government which was said will be presented at the state executive council meeting on Monday, was a cheap attempt to deceive protesters that some measures were being taken to avert the strike.”