Talks failed to break an impasse between the Nigerian government and organized labor over plans to end a gasoline subsidy, UPI quoted officials as saying Sunday. The two unions refused to back off from their demand that gasoline prices be rolled back before they would resume direct talks over the subsidies, labor officials told This Day. The cancellation of the subsidy enjoyed by Nigerian motorists led to a nationwide general strike last week. There were also threats of a widescale job action by oilfield workers; however, This Day said that threat had been dropped. Representatives of the government were expected to meet again Sunday with the Nigerian Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress, and President Goodluck Jonathan was tentatively scheduled to deliver a nationwide address on the issue.
