Paris Club Refund: You Are Not Speaking For Us, Ondo Workers Replies Union Leaders

By Niyi Olutunde, Akure 

Civil servants in Ondo State are on a war path with their union leaders, it was learnt yesterday.

It was gathered that feelers within their ranks indicate that the workers have distanced themselves from the recent activities of the union leaders over the payment of the 80 percent of the 2016 September salary arrears.

Opinions are divided over recent happenings among the labour union leaders.

While the union leaders, who in their usual style, are threatening war, the majority of the workers are of the view that the union leaders have not been fair to the state government, which has not owed them since the current administration assumed power on February 24, 2016.

The worried workers asked if their leaders were asleep when the immediate past administration led by Dr. Olusegun Mimiko owed them seven months without reasonable action.

Investigation also revealed that the workers have decided to ignore any instruction given by the union leaders to embark on a strike.

Already, the workers have been circulating text messages asking their colleagues to ignore the union leaders and their proposed action.

Some of the messages read: “ONDO WORKERS SHINE YOUR EYES! Don’t allow greedy union leaders to use you to fester their nest.

“Iroko owed us many months and they did not strike because he settled them.

“Aketi has not owed us since he assumed office. The 80% paid as 2016 September salary was due to cash deficit and he informed the union leaders.

“He will pay workers their right due. Construction and rehabilitation of road network is ongoing state-wide. Aketi is working to take Ondo State to next level.

“Say no to strike action! Say no to selfish union leaders!! Let us join hands to build Ondo State!!!. Kindly inform others.” SENDER: OSWP.

A Grade level 10 civil servant, who does not want his name mentioned, urged the state government not to take the union leaders serious.

He said they have exchanged their birthright for a pot of porridge during the last administration immediately they openly declared for Mimiko during the 2012 governorship election in the state.

“We know them very well; some of them are living larger than their salaries . I know one of the union leaders, who on level eight and he has been buying cars for his girlfriends. He should explain to us where he got such money from.

“What they want is the continuation of how they are benefiting largesse from previous administration. They are toothless dogs, they cannot bites. We workers are not behind them”

It would be recalled that the organized labour recently met, saying the 80 percent paid by the state government was as a gift.