NIPOST workers begin nationwide strike tomorrow

Workers of the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) across the federation will commence three days warning strike from tomorrow, over backlogs of three years unpaid allowances.

The two unions in the sector- Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government Owned Companies (SSACGOC), and the National Union of Postal and Telecommunications Employees (NUPTE), have therefore directed their members across the villages and states of the federation to stay away from work as from Wednesday.

Already, SSACGOC and NUPTE have written a joint letter to the Postmaster General, Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST), Abuja headquarters; saying that the management should take responsibility for the industrial action.

The letter written on the 3 July, 2019 was signed by SSACGOC President-General, Comd. Muhammed Y. A; the General Secretary of SSACGOC, Comd. Ayo Olorunfemi; the NUPTE President, Comd. Buba. N and the NUPTE General Secretary, Comd. Enaku .J. I.

In the letter, titled: “Refusal to pay backlog of welfare allowance: Notice of three days warning strike,” the union demanded that the management should pay up these arrears for the year 2017, 2018 and 2019 on or before, Wednesday 17 July, 2019 to avert the commencement of the strike.

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The letter read: “Under the directive of the leadership of Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government Owned Companies (SSASCGOC) and the National Union of Postal and Telecommunications  Employees (NUPTE), we write to express our frustration and disappointment over the refusal of the management to pay up the backlog of welfare allowances owed staff members of NIPOST.

“You may recall that there had been several meetings between the management and the two unions over this issue without any solution. It is more disheartening to note that 2019 unpaid allowances have now joined  with the backlog of 2017 and 2018.

“Our patience on this matter has been over-stretched and the staff of NIPOST can no longer bear the irreconcilable promises and counter promises without any redemption

“To this end, the entire NIPOST workforce has mandated the two unions to inform the management of NIPOST to pay up these arrears i.e. 2017, 2018 and 2019 rent enhancement on or before 17 July, 2019; otherwise, three (3) days warning strike will commence that day.

“In view of the foregoing therefore, the management should take responsibility for any industrial action that may be taken in the pursuit of this demand if the three years arrears are not paid as requested before the expiration of the date (ultimatum) given above.”