Railway Workers Ground Operations As Warning Strike Begins Today

Operations in Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) nationwide came to a stand still 12 midnight Wednesday following the commencement of the three-day, November 18 – 20, 20121, warning strike embarked by the workers to press home for improved welfare.

Their demands ranged from payment of outstanding salaries, salary reviews, improve welfare and supports to human resources base of the corporation.

Wednesday, indications from the Corporate Headquarters of the Corporation, Ebute-Meta Lagos confirmed that management meetings meant to waive the strike was deadlocked.

The management subsequently resolved to put necessary measures in place to protect the assets of the corporation.

An inside source informed OPTIMUM TIMES that the decisions to commence the strike within the time frame was to impact on the “Very Important Personalities” who for the current obvious security challenges in Nigeria have resorted to patronizing rail services for their travels.

The source cited that most of the “big men” and their families often travel for weekend within Thursdays and return on Sundays, adding that with the strike they will be hit to pressure the Federal Government to attend to the demands of the railway workers.

Earlier, in an internal memo issued on Tuesday, Managing Director of NRC, Engr. Fidet Okhiria, alerted all district managers and relevant officers of the need to protect railway assets in the event the strike goes ahead.

The memo read, “With regards to the impending warning strike action, the management and board have met with the two in-house unions to deliberate and resolve issues that are still in discussion to avert the proposed warning strike action.

“However in the event of a strike action, you are please requested to do the following to ensure that railway assets are protected adequately.

“The RDMs, managers and coordinators are to prepare and shut down train services appropriately by midnight of Wednesday, 17th November 2021.

The memo also directed the officials to move all locomotive and coaches for Abuja-Kaduna, Warri-Itakpe and Lagos-Ibadan train services to safe places.

“All RDMs, managers and coordinators should ensure that the running sheds and workshop areas are property secured. All RDMs, managers and coordinators should also endeavour to alert all private security outfits under their jurisdiction to be on standby to ensure the safety of railway assets,” the memo added.