Association urges NLC to obey court ruling on union dispute
The Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government-Owned Companies has called on the Nigerian Labour Congress to respect court decisions regarding union jurisdiction at the Industrial Training Fund. Akin Okudero, acting General Secretary, accused the NLC of promoting unlawful labour practices through its affiliate, AUPCTRE. The association stated that the dispute over which union represents certain ITF staff has already been settled by the courts. SSASCGOC commended ITF management for complying with the legal rulings and urged all parties to operate within the law.
What we know
- SSASCGOC says the union jurisdiction dispute at the ITF was conclusively resolved by the National Industrial Court and the Court of Appeal, most recently in July 2023.
- The Court of Appeal ruled that officers on grade level 07 and above in statutory corporations and government-owned companies fall under SSASCGOC, while AUPCTRE covers junior staff on grade level 06 and below.
- ITF management has complied by not coercing officers to join any union or remitting check-off dues for grade level 07 and above.
- SSASCGOC criticised AUPCTRE for lobbying the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, insisting only the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment has authority over union matters.
- The association warned the NLC against actions that could cause disharmony and urged respect for existing court judgments.
