The union previously threatened a strike on June 8, 2024, due to the state government's failure to engage in dialogue over the payment of the N30,000 minimum wage and the N35,000 palliative wage award approved by the Federal Government in October 2023.

In response to the union's ultimatum, Abia State Governor Alex Otti met with union representatives and directed the state Accountant-General to address their demands. Despite this, discrepancies remain regarding wage payments. State NLC Chairman Ogbonnaya Okoro claimed that the state government currently pays N20,100, while local government workers receive N18,000 as minimum wage. However, Governor Otti maintained that records show the state is paying the N30,000 minimum wage.

During a press briefing on July 14, 2024, Okoro reiterated the union's stance, warning that failure to implement the agreed-upon terms by July 28 would result in an indefinite strike. The key points of the agreement include the payment of the N30,000 minimum wage and the N35,000 palliative wage award, payment of severance allowances to forcibly retired Directors and Permanent Secretaries, and payment of current leave allowances.

Trade Union Congress state chairman Ihechi Eneogwe added that the union has been in discussions with the state government for over a week on these issues, which require urgent resolution.