Joe-Ajaero, factional NLC
Leader
The Joe Ajaero-led faction of the
Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and
the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and
Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) Friday
said they refused to join the
nationwide strike called by the Ayuba
Wabba-led NLC because the Federal
Government responded to their
demand to convene a meeting with
stakeholders.
At a press conference in Lagos
addressed by Ajaero and NUPENG President Achese Igwe, the labour
leaders said strike would have been the last option if talks with the
government had failed.
Ajaero said his faction of the NLC held productive talks with the
government, including the agreement to set up a panel on palliatives
to cushion the effect of the petrol price increase.
According to him, both factions of the NLC could have worked
together on the strike, but, according to him, the Wabba faction
walked out of a meeting with the government, insisting that the
Ajaero faction must not be part of it.
“If not for the unfortunate incident that happened that day, maybe we
would have been together. Maybe it’s an ego thing,” Ajaero said.
Besides, he said before a strike action is declared, a 21-day
ultimatum ought to be given, not three days.
He called for transparency in the management of the palliatives,
saying the refineries should be fixed or new ones built while more
jobs must be created.
He said: “The whole essence of negotiation is to implement a
workable agreement. Then when the agreement fails, there are other
options.
“I will not lead a strike that will not enjoy mass support. We need to
differentiate between strike and protests.
“How can strike be called and road workers, banks and others are
open? We’ll be making a mockery of ourselves.
“A leader should weigh the mood of members before declaring a
strike. It amounts to industrial suicide to call a strike and your
members ignore you. Such leadership should resign.”
Igwe said as a way of cushioning the effect of the pump price
increase, states should endeavour to clear their salary arrears while
negotiation for minimum wage increase continues.
“We said we expected the government to engage us, and they did.
The era of impunity is over, so the palliatives must be transparent,”
he said.
Both union leaders called for urgent inauguration of the Petroleum
Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPRA) board, which would
include representatives of labour unions.
On reconciliation of the two warning NLC factions, Ajaero said:
“Nobody has bothered to investigate the election (which caused the
division). NLC’s rules were violated and that has not been addressed.
“Reconciliation is not working because the board mediating between
the parties does not have the bite to enforce resolutions reached.
“At every point in time, we have subjected ourselves to reconciliation.
But the people involved are not ready to concede. So how is it going
to work?”
Igwe, who doubles as the vice-president of Ajaero-led NLC, said the
affiliate unions within the NLC must “sit down and talk” so as to put
their house in order.
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