ULC’s nationwide strike marred by poor compliance
…as NUBIFIE,NAAE, others shunned directive
The National Union of Banks Insurance and Financial Institutions Employees, NUBIFIE, and aviation unions have dissociated themselves from the nationwide strike directive issued by United Labour Congress (ULC), led by its President, Comrade Joe Ajaero.
NUBIFIE, in a statement, said that the union is not aware of, and will not partake in any planned industrial action as called by the ULC.
According to the statement,”The process of engaging in industrial action is well stipulated in the laws of the land and rules of engagement. The union just emerged from its delegate conference and new leadership emerged.
”There are a number of issues that beg for attention in what has been happening in our industry; shutting the financial industry at this critical period of our economic life is not an option.
”The congress in session did not discuss neither did it ratify any industrial action. Therefore, we dissociate NUBIFIE from the planned action of United Labour Congress.
“The affiliation of NUBIFIE to United Labour Congress was done out of the context of the procedure and constitution of our great Union and the congress in session resolved and passed a resolution for the return of NUBIFIE to its original affiliation, NLC as contained in the union Constitution.
”Consequent on the above, NUBIFIE dissociates itself from the called strike of United Labour Congress and hereby directs all our members in the Banks and Insurance Companies to shun any other directive contrary to this.”
Meanwhile, aviation unions also shunned directives to shut down the Nigerian airspace. They are the Association of Nigerian Aviation Professionals (ANAP), Aeronautical Information Services Association of Nigeria (AISAN) and the National Association of Air Traffic Engineers (NAAE).
The unions had earlier, at a meeting with the management of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) dissociated themselves from the strike.
Speaking with Daily Times correspondent, Comrade Onyeka Chris; Deputy General Secretary of ULC, acknowledged that the strike registered partial compliance from workers across the country as it was only observed in Abuja, Kaduna, Port- Harcourt and Lagos.
He said, “Aviation unions that are affiliated to ULC didn’t pull out of the strike and even banks too, that’s is why we gave two-week notice to the federal government. The strike is nationwide, which is currently taking place in Port Harcourt, Kadunna, Abuja and Lagos.”
Recall that the Federal Government pronounced the strike called by the ULC as illegitimate, saying that the ULC was not yet a registered and recognised Federation of the Trade Unions in the country.
In fact, Minister of Labour and Employment ,Dr.Chris Ngige made the pronouncement in Abuja, last Thursday, while dismissing an ultimatum ULC has issued.
However, ULC is demanding that the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment set up a task force immediately to carry out factory inspection; that Government should review the privatisation of Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN).
Others are: that the Army and Police should withdraw their men in different work places where they are currently stationed as they intimidate and harass workers in such establishment.
ULC also demands the immediate release of its “Registration Certificate.”
