Osun Workers May Embark On Industrial Action Over Payment of Full Salary 

Workers in the employ of the Osun State Government might soon go on strike before the forthcoming New Year Holidays.

This is because of the ongoing face-off between labour unions and the state government over the payment of full salary as demanded by the labour leaders.

According to a statement obtained by our correspondent, the Osun State Chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress at several consultation with the state authorities had demanded the payment of full salaries across board from November 2017, while the government said it does not have the capacity for the payment of full salary.

The statement said with the fact that the meeting ended deadlocked, workers in the state might not receive any salary till the end of 2017 as NLC remains adamant on the government paying full salary.

The statement reads “We have received series of calls from our members who wanted to know the truth about the viral information that Government will not pay any salary for the rest of this year. Having made necessary enquiries, it is confirmed that a meeting between the NLC and Government ended in deadlock after both parties could not reconcile their different positions.”

“NLC was resolute on commencement of full salary across board from November while Government insisted that it doesn’t have the means to pay more than the persisting modulated salary. While it remains uncertain what Government would do, NLC has enjoined members to be ready to endure a Chrismas/New Year season without any payment from Government if the struggle for full salary must get to that level.”

The Labour Unions explained that in compliance with the notice of strike issued earlier which becomes effective on 27th December, 2017 with government being defiant to the 21 day ultimatum issued by the Coalition of Academic Staff Union of State Tertiary Institutions (CASUOSTI) which elapsed three weeks ago, another strike might be imminent.

“On the part of CASUOSTI,  the 21-day ultimatum issued Government lapsed 3 weeks ago without any sign that Government is ready to address the issues. Therefore, CASUOSTI has resolved that all chapters must hold a Congress on or before Monday, 18th December, 2017 to conduct referendum for notice of strike action.”

“We assure all members that the present hardship will soon become history as we trust God and equally taking necessary action to achieve what is rightfully due to us,” the statement said.