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Labour Leaders Urge Cordial Relationship Between MOCPED Management And Staff
By Babatunde Kaka
Nigerian labour leaders have appealed to the management of Michael Otedoa College of Primary Education, Noforija, Epe Division to step up their game in entrenching cordial inter-personal relationship amongst the members of staff which is capable of promoting peace, tranquillity and overall growth of the college.
The labour leaders made plea at a congress held on Friday 5th February 2020 in the school premises.
Ekohotblog gathered that the joint congress was necessary to reassure members of Non-Academic Staff Union NASU and Senior Staff Union of Colleges of Education of Nigeria SSUCOEN working in the college that they have not been neglected.
For diplomatic reasons, It was also gathered that the National body of Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union, COEASU, had directed its members in the College to steer clear of the congress as a meeting with the Provost had been scheduled for the following week.
The Union Leaders disclosed that they are abreast of the issues in the college and are exploring all possible means to resolve them. Notable amongst the demands to resolves the issues are; The reinstatement of suspended Union Leaders back to the College on or before 28th February, Putting an end to staff victimization, Payment of SSUCOEN monthly Check-Off Dues for January 2021, Payment of outstanding staff pensions, arrears etc.
The congress, which held at Lecture Theater I, was ably led by vibrant female activist, Comrade Agness Olufunmilayo Sesi, Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress NLC Lagos State Chapter, Comrade Paul Eghene, Chairman Outsourcing and Anti-Casualisation Committee of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Lagos State, Comrade Paul Ogaga, State Council PRO National Union of Air Transport Employees, Comrade Ebunola Atinuke, Chairman, Senior Staff Union of Colleges of Education SSUCOEN, South-West Zone and Comrade Nicholas Ughoso, National Vice President SSUCOEN.
While addressing the College management team in the absence of the Provost, Ekohotblog gathered that Comrade Sesi amicably appealed to the College Managers to sheath swords and allow justice to prevail. She noted that the Union leaders have done nothing wrong in representing the interest of the entire members of staff of the college, stating that their suspension from work for close to three months is an injustice which can not stand.
” What informed our coming to the college today is very simple. We have come in peace, to seek for peace, dialogue and also to seek for justice. We want us to correct the injustice against the union leaders. One is not pronounced guilty until the case is proved beyond reasonable doubts.
They, therefore, demand their reinstatement latest February 28th, 2021, with full payment of benefits and entitlements.
“We are also appealing that the opportunity given to the management to sue for peace should be made use of to ensure that they correct all the injustices and resolve all issues. I will continue to appreciate all the workers and unions of this college who have held on to use peaceful means of dialogue to resolve all the issues.
“These workers will not labour in vain, what they are also doing is to guard and to ensure that every of their labour at their retirement age will be gotten at the right time so that there will be no story in the future. That is why you have seen that they have all come out united because they know that the people united can never be defeated.
“There is nothing like depleting their ego, no, it is not. If you find yourself in a position of authority, it is a privilege, use your position well to impact and then improve on the lives of those that you are leading.
If the Union leaders hadn’t fought for the minimum wage, nobody would have had the opportunity to enjoy it. The Union leaders have fought a good battle for all of us and instead of us to appreciate them, this is the way we are paying them, it is very wrong. These Union leaders are proactive and their proactive disposition should not be silenced “, she stated.
While stressing that herself and fellow Union leaders are not in the College to threaten the Management, Comrade Sesi noted how she had tried her best to negotiate and find alternative means to resolve since the suspension of the Union leaders which proved abortive. She also told the gathering to disregard false rumours flying around that they were in the college to mobilize other unionists from outside town to have a faceoff with the management.
Speaking further, Comrade Sesi lamented the procedures employed in the suspension of the union leaders which she said does not conform with the conditions of service of the college and at the same time negates due process. She also questioned the rationale behind the deliberate attempt not to deduct Check-Off dues by the Bursar of the College even thought there was no formal denunciation of membership to SSUCOEN by the College members of staff. This, she said, speaks volume.
She, however, reemphasized the position of the National and State bodies of Union Leaders to stand firmly behind the suspended duo of Comrade Ogunlari, Comrade Jamal Apena and three others who remains the bonafide union leaders of SSUCOEN and COEASU, respectively.
Responding to the address, Dr. Abayomi Imam, the Acting Provost and Chief Librarian of the College, stated that it was unfortunate that the Provost was not around and commended the delegation of Union leaders to MOCPED for peaceful conduct.
He reiterated the relevance of labour unions and promised to convey the demands to the Provost when he returns.
” On behalf of the Governing Council, the Provost and the management, members of staff and students, I have to sincerely welcome you. It is unfortunate that my Principal is not around and I will make some observations and also give you part of what the Management is doing. There is something that really interests me and that is the fact that your visit is for peace. And what you are doing is not new to me, we know the position and relevance of labour unions. One thing is that your requests have been made, firstly, reinstatement of the suspended staff and also the SSUCOEN dues are very simple things to do. We realise your position in helping the College but there are always procedures in tackling issues and one of those steps is what you have taken. My Principal, the Provost will be around next week and all these demands would be tabled to him. I promise you that we will soon get back to you “, he stated
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