Business
Union Chairman Lists Gains Of Trade Unionism
The Chairman of the workers union in the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Mr Yusuf Buba, says trade unionism is not to antagonise the government as being widely perceived.
Buba told our correspondent in Abuja last Tuesday that labour movement was to promote the welfare of workers for enhanced productivity.
Buba is also the Chairman of Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service, Technical and Recreational Service Employees (AUPCTRE) in CAC.
“Union leaders are widely seen as antagonists in this country, but the truth is that we are partners in progress for the good of our organisations and that of our nation.
“Ours is to ensure that workers get their entitlements and in return give their best in terms of service delivery for the good of their respective organisations.’’
Buba, who was recently elected, said that one of his priorities was to foster harmonious working relationship between the workers and management of CAC.
“In the next three years, we will maintain an open channel of communication with management to foster understanding between both parties.
“The welfare of our members remain paramount and we will continue to explore the middle ground in our engagement with the management.’’
The AUPCTRE chairman commended the CAC management for honouring the agreement recently signed with the union after a two-day strike.
The Tide learnt that AUPCTRE has embarked on an indefinite strike action on Otober 4 over non-payment of some entitlements of its members, among others.
The strike was suspended on October 6 following the intervention of government official.
Buba said that the management had so far kept to the terms of the agreement which included the payment of 50 per cent “palliative to the workers”.
He said the management had also agreed to begin payment of arrears of 108.32 per cent enhanced bonus to some members of staff by the end of December, 2013.
The agreement also included the setting up of a joint technical committee to work out modalities to bridge the gap in the salary structure of executive and non-executive staff of the commission.
“A committee was set up and it has completed its assignment; its report will soon be submitted to the management and we expect prompt and positive action,’’ Buba said.