Tanker drivers go on strike

Nigerian fuel tanker drivers went on strike on 11 July 2008, demanding better pay and working conditions. Union officials announced that the strike will be indefinite and that no fuel products will be delivered to filling stations until their demands are met. Although there are as yet no signs of panic buying at filling stations, vehicles are likely to begin lining up once stations start to run out of their current supply. The union had given the government a 21-day ultimatum to raise pay and reduce the cost of diesel; the ultimatum expired on 10 July. A prolonged strike would paralyze social and economic activities as private and commercial vehicles run out of fuel. Meanwhile, primary and secondary teachers of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) are still on strike throughout Nigeria. The umbrella union Nigeria Labor Congress (NLC) also threatened on 11 July to call on workers in other sectors to join the teachers if the government does not meet their demands by next week. The teachers -- who are demanding better pay and a nationwide unified pay schedule -- have been on strike since 30 June.