Lagos State Govt Fumes As Labour Unions Shut Broadcasting Services

Leaders of Nigerian Union of Journalist (NUJ) and Radio and Television Theater Art Workers Union (RATTAWU) Lagos State chapter have been advised to refrain from intimidating staff from carrying out their lawful duty.

Lagos State Commissioner for Establishments and Training, Afolabi Ayantayo gave the advice in a press release following Monday’s shut down of Lagos Television, Radio Lagos/Eko FM, and Lagos Traffic Radio in an attempt to press home their demand.

The Commissioner emphasises that a strike should not be turned into an attack on the agencies and their workers.

It would be recalled that the three labour unions had earlier threatened to shut operation of the broadcasting stations should the government fails to attend to their concerns.

On Monday morning, Labour unions such as NLC, RATTAWU, and NUJ forcefully shut down Lagos Television, Radio Lagos/Eko FM, and Lagos Traffic Radio.

It was alleged that 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.

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.

The statement adds that a meeting between representatives of the government, led by the 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.

The statement however urges workers of the three broadcast stations to report for work and avoid any confrontation with the union members.