Brom a special correspondent. The Jagnt Action Committee formed in Oct 6% unite the Trade Unions called for a Federal finimum ‘Jase of 520 (% 56) per. nonth in ilay 64. In Lazos the min was 57-12.(% 21.26).The govenement cnguiry by Chi-f Justice liorgan recomended 212 % 55.60) a month.‘the sovernment were slow publishing the report .and the Unions began Strike preparations.It began on June 1ist.June 3rd the government offered £9-2.(%25.48),and the btrike moUnted. Free speech,and the rights of demonstration had been Geclared illesal for some timeeiicetings,political: freedom had been severly curtailed.Despite these cdifficulties,at a rally ii.4.0.Imoudu,a {.U.lLeader and Alnaji Adchdlu were carried off on the shoulders of workers,and a spontanous demonstration started.This was Nect with Baton charges by the police who injuredAdehhiu.0On the next day the headlines were'iJorkers Leader Beaten Up oxy Police and Taken to liospital'. The strike then spread all over the country affecting all sections of workers includins Clerical €@ itanicipal ‘Jorkers.June the oth P.il. Balewa issued ultinatum.teturn to work or face the most dire consequences including dismissal, Inside 46 hours the country was covered with leaflets S1°1L-. > the government an Ultinatum that stated that unless they implement the iiorgan neport within 48 hours they woula face tho wrath of the Workers.
The demonstrations increase. ,the police used Tcar Gas, Baton charses,and fixed bayOnets,the Youth came out in the streets and the Folice retreated. By Saturday 14 th June the Govermment aiureed to accept the liorgan Report as a basis for
. . - os : “i ee 4 = 7 Sos . . negiotiation and tne workers had won their point. The most important gain of the 1954 General Strike,was however the creat Bditor's Note. Further information on “the Nigerian Scene is in
rise in the political consciousness of the workers.
ZO the’ to 4 issue of T.S.d«° < Basti Davidson's <ticla
“roe
THE WEEK Vol 2 No 9,