It is now clear despite efforts by the government of Governor Nyesom Wike to break their ranks that Rivers workers under the umbrella of the TUC and NLC are poised for a show down.
Affiliate unions aligned to organized Labour which met early in the week, the Telegraph has learnt, have reaffirmed their decision to proceed with the original plan to embark on lightening street processions.
The proposed demonstration by Rivers workers is designed to protest the refusal of the Rivers State Government to pay the new minimum wage as well as accruing arrears.
Although the Rivers State Government says it will pay the N30,000 minimum wage, it has however refused to entertain requests by labour asking it to pay months of arrears which have accrued since negotiations on the salary structure ended.
Meanwhile, the Head of Service who has been handling negotiations between Government and organized Labour has been directed to step aside.
He has been replaced as head of the administration’s negotiating team by the Secretary to Government, Dr Tammy Danagogo.
The development reflects a new urgency on the part of government which is determined to avoid what may result in a crippling strike
A meeting scheduled for last Friday at the Secretariat complex was abandoned by labour, following the shooting which occurred.
Another meeting reportedly fixed for last Monday may have held, but there are strong indications as at the time of filing this report that neither side has shifted ground.
We have learnt authoritatively that the State NLC leader has been summoned by the National Secretariat of the union which is tracking developments in Rivers State.
Before leaving Port Harcourt for Abuja, the labour leader dismissed claims by government that it has entered into an agreement with the official representatives of labour.
The Telegraph is monitoring the situation and will bring further updates to its readers.