March 4, 2015 – The Trade Union Congress (TUC) in Osun State says it is firmly in support of proposed strike by its affiliate, the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) in Osun, as well as the ongoing strike by the Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP), LAUTECH, Osogbo.
In a statement signed by President and Secretary of the union, Comrade Bobboi Kaigama and Musa Lawal, the congress called on members of the public and particularly the media, to disregard the contrary statement recently made by former Chairman of the council, Oladele Francis Adetunji, whereby he purported to disassociate the council from the said strikes and struggle of its affiliates.
“In accordance with the Constitution of TUC, Adetunji ceased to be the Chairman of TUC in Osun consequent upon the expiration of his tenure of office and the subsequent election and inauguration of the present Executive Committee on 6th of March, 2014, even though he has shamefully refused to come to terms with the transition that was always sure to come.
“He therefore represents nobody but himself and his paymasters in the state government who have found in him a willing tool to use and sponsor in their bid to undermine the legitimate interests of the working class”, the TUC said, adding that naturally his anti-union posture has rightfully caused him to be ostracized by all members in the state and also earned him an indefinite suspension from the Congress by a resolution of the National Executive Council (NEC)”, TUC said.
The union explained that while it does not begrudge Adetunji and his solitary walk, “we remind him and his ill-advised sponsors that he who has no one following him cannot validly call himself a leader.
“He is merely a man taking a stroll. Perhaps he will learn the lessons of the prodigal son and retrace his steps someday.
“Section 40 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended, guarantees the right of association and the right to take peaceful actions for the protection of one’s interests”, the TUC said, adding that the union is embarking on strikes due to non-payment of outstanding salaries for November 2014 to February 2015 and non-release of all outstanding salaries deductions to date to all unions & co-operative societies.
Other demands includes non-release of pending letters of 2013 promotion exercise conducted in June 2014; non-commencement and conclusion of year 2014 promotion exercise; non-release of conversion letters to affected officers; non-release of ASCSN State of Osun Branch check-off dues deliberately put into a suspense account”, it said and called on Government of the State of Osun to promptly meet the demands of the workers in the two unions, in the spirit of fairness and to foster industrial peace and harmony.
“ We shall accept nothing less. An injury to one is an injury to all”, TUC said.
