By Chisom Obioma
Frustrated and thrown into more hardship due to countless months of unpaid allowance and other entitlements owe to its members, the Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government Owned Companies (SSACGOC), NIPOST Branch and National Union of Postal and Telecommunications Employees (NUPTE), have threatened to commence a 3-day warning strike on Wednesday 17 July 2019, should the government fail to meet their demand.
In recent time, NIPOST workers have continued to complained of unfair labour treatment melted on them since the emergence of the new Postmaster General, calling on President Buhari to intervene on their behalf.
Jointly signed by SSACGOC President-General, Comrade Muhammed Y. A; its General Secretary Comrade Ayo Olorunfemi, and NUPTE President, Comrade Buba. N and General Secretary, Comrade. Enaku .J. I, the workers in a letter written to the Postmaster General, Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) Mr Asiwaju Bisi Adegbuyi, lamented of the refusal to pay backlog of welfare allowance by NIPOST Management, adding that they are frustrated and cannot condone any further unfair labour treatment.
“Under the directive of the leadership of Senior Staff Association at Statutory Corporations and Government Owned Companies (SSASCGOC) and the Nattonal Union of Postal and Telecommunications Employees (NUPTE), we write to express our frustration and disappointment over the refusal of the Management to pay up the backlogs of welfare allowances owed staff members of NIPOST.
“You may recall that there had been several meetings between the Management and the two unions over this issue without any solution. It is more disheartening to note that 2019 unpaid allowances has now joined with the backlog of 2017 and 2018.
“Our patience on this matter has been over stretched and the staff of NIPOST can no longer bear the irreconcnlable promises and counter promises without any redemption.
“To this end, the entire NIPOST workforce has mandated the two unions to Inform the Management of NIPOST to pay up these arrears i.e. 2017, 2018 and 2019 rent enhancement on or before 17 July, 2019. otherwise, three (3) days warning strike will commence that day.
“In view of the foregoing therefore, the Management should take responsibility for any industrial action that may be taken in the pursuit of this demand if the three years arrears are not paid as requested before the expiration of the date (ultimatum) given above.”
