AKURE, Nigeria — Workers of the Ondo State House of Assembly have suspended their planned strike after reaching an agreement with the state government over the implementation of a new salary structure.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN), Ondo State chapter, had threatened to begin an indefinite strike this week to protest the government’s delay in adopting the Consolidated Legislative Salary Structure (CONLESS). The union announced the suspension of the planned action on Monday after Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa approved the immediate implementation of the new pay scale.

PASAN Chairperson, Mrs. Helen Olorunfemi, confirmed the decision in Akure, saying the workers’ demands had been met following a meeting between the union, government officials, and the House leadership.

“The governor has approved the implementation of CONLESS for legislative staff in Ondo State,” Olorunfemi said. “He directed the Head of Service and the Accountant-General to immediately prepare the necessary documents for the salary adjustment. We are satisfied with the government’s commitment, so we have suspended our planned strike.”

She added that Ondo State was previously the only state in the South-West yet to implement the legislative salary structure, which had already been adopted in states such as Lagos, Ogun, and Oyo.

The planned strike had raised concerns about potential disruptions to the legislative process, as workers had vowed to shut down assembly operations if their demands were ignored. The suspension now clears the way for normal legislative activities to continue.

Governor Aiyedatiwa’s approval followed a seven-day ultimatum issued by the union last week. The ultimatum expired over the weekend, prompting swift negotiations to avert the strike. In a statement issued after the meeting, the government reaffirmed its commitment to improving workers’ welfare and promoting industrial harmony across state institutions.

The Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Olamide Oladiji, who was part of the negotiation team, commended both sides for resolving the dispute amicably. He said the governor’s intervention reflected a genuine concern for the welfare of assembly staff and the stability of the legislative arm.

“I thank the governor for his quick response and understanding. This resolution shows the value of dialogue between government and labour,” Oladiji said.

The CONLESS pay structure was introduced nationally to harmonize salaries for legislative staff across Nigeria, ensuring uniform pay and benefits in all states. PASAN has been advocating for its full implementation since 2021, arguing that the legislative workforce deserves parity with other arms of government.

Labour observers say Ondo’s approval of CONLESS marks a major step forward in improving conditions for parliamentary staff in the state. They also note that the agreement could serve as a model for other states still negotiating with their unions.

For now, PASAN has called on its members to return to work while monitoring the government’s compliance with the implementation plan. Olorunfemi said the union would continue to engage with the state to ensure that the new salary scale takes effect without delay.

“The workers are happy that the governor listened to us,” she said. “We trust that the implementation will begin immediately as directed.”

With the strike suspended, the Ondo State Assembly is expected to resume full legislative activities this week, bringing relief to both staff and lawmakers who had braced for a potential shutdown.

The truce also underscores growing efforts by state governments to address wage-related disputes in Nigeria’s public service amid economic challenges and rising inflation. If the Aiyedatiwa administration follows through on its promise, Ondo could soon join the list of states where legislative workers enjoy the full benefits of the national salary structure.

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