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February 23, 2015
Don’t Embark On Illegal Strike, Osun NLC, TUC Warn Workers
Uncertainty hung over the proposed industrial action by workers in Osun State at the weekend, as both the Trade Union Congress, TUC, and Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, dissociated themselves from the strike.Going by the declaration of Comrade Akinyemi Olatunji, leader of Osun State chapter of Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria, ASCSN, civil servants in Osun State were to down tools by Thursday this week.
Akinyemi had informed workers at the state’s secretariat, Abeere, during a protest to sensitise workers about the proposed strike last Thursday that labour leaders in the state had resolved to call workers out for industrial action over unpaid salaries running into five months, and handed down one week ultimatum for government to pay up or face workers’ wrath.
But, speaking with newsmen over the weekend, chairman of TUC in the state, Comrade Oladele Adetunji, threatened that other unions would sanction the leadership of Senior Civil Servants, who declared the industrial action.
He explained that Akinyemi lacked the power to single-handedly declare strike without the knowledge of leaders of other unions.
According to him, labour movement in the state comprises of NLC, TUC, and Joint Negotiation Council, JNC.
The three groups, he added, have been meeting with Governor Rauf Aregbesola, regarding the welfare of workers in the state.
He added that the protest amounted to “gross misconduct.” How could you say you are representing the interest of the union and start ringing bell around the state’s secretariat?
“About 43 leaders of the union were in attendance at the meeting held with the governor on October 2014. Only the Association of Senior Civil Servants has been boycotting the union’s meeting, and it is personal.”
Dismissing claims that workers are being owed five months salaries, Adetunji averred that only workers on grade level 12 and above are yet to receive December salaries, adding that local government workers and primary school teachers have all been paid December salaries, inclusive of deductions and leave bonuses.
He warned workers against following “illegal strike directive” by Akinyemi, saying “we have never directed anybody to go on strike. Any worker that chooses to go on illegal strike does so at his or her own interest.”
