Court upturns sack of 28 workers

THE National Industrial Court (NIC) has given judgment in favour of Food, Beverage and Tobacco Senior Staff Association (FOBTOB) against the Grand Cereals Nigeria Limited and its sister company, Spring Waters Nigeria Limited, over indiscriminate and unlawful sack of 28 employees of the two companies.

The court, sitting in Abuja finally delivered its ruling in favour of the union, in a matter that had spanned a period of three years before the Industrial Arbitration Panel (IAP)  and the NIC.

In the ruling delivered by Hon. Justice O.Y. Anuwe of the NIC in Suit Number NICN/ABJ/325/2016, the NIC granted relief that: “Twenty-Eight (28) of FOBTOB members whose employments were terminated and prematurely retired on account of belonging to the Union and engaging in union activities were all to be immediately reinstated.”

In the case, which FOBTOB was represented by Barrister Femi Aborishade, the NIC further gave judgment that both Grand Cereals Nigeria Limited and Spring Waters Nigeria Limited should pay the arrears in salary and allowances of all the 28 terminated employees from the date of their termination up till the day judgment was given.

The salary arrears, however, should less any amount that may have been paid as redundancy or terminal benefits when the appointment of the workers were discriminatorily terminated.

The companies were also ordered to pay the backlog of Check-off dues to FOBTOB for the last Three (3) years.

Speaking on the development, National President of FOBTOB, Comrade Quadri Olaleye described the judgement as a great victory for the association, and a great relief to the affected members and their dependent families.

He pointed out that the affected workers had been deprived of their human dignity and constitutional right by the two sister companies located in Jos.

Comrade Olaleye further stated that the case was a clear signal to other employers who were currently victimizing union members and executives, such as Cadbury Nigeria Plc, Perfetti Van Melle Nigeria Limited, and International Tobacco Company, that the association will leave no stone unturned in the fight for justice for any cadre of its membership.

The General Secretary of the association, Comrade Iji Solomon said the association was satisfied with the NIC ruling.