Oyo workers declare 3-day strike over non-implementation of promotion

THE Public Service Joint Negotiating Council (PSJNC), Oyo State, on Wednesday, directed all workers in the public and civil service in the state to embark on a three-day warning strike, starting Wednesday, over non-implementation of the 2012-2016 promotion approved by the state government.

The warning strike according to Chairman, Oyo PSJNC, Mr Emmanuel Ogundiran, was declared owing to the failure of the state government to give the promotion financial backing since its approval last year.

Ogundiran had also noted that the state government only issued the promotion letters to a few workers, and placed an embargo on further issuance of promotion letters.

The declaration of the strike was sequel to the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum and one day notice on Tuesday, as well as the failure of negotiation between PSJNC and the state government representatives led by the Secretary to the State Government on Tuesday night to yield the request of workers.

The decision of the PSJNC to call for a strike had been vetted at a congress held at state secretariat of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) on Wednesday.

ALSO READ: My govt has done well in all sectors ― Ajimobi

It would be recalled that the state government had in a statement signed by former Head of Service, Mr Soji Eniade in February 2018, announced that Governor Abiola Ajimobi had approved the immediate release of promotion for years 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 for workers in the civil/public service.

Workers in various conversations with Nigerian Tribune also affirmed that though they had got at least one promotion that they were due for, their salaries did not increase to reflect the upward movement in their grade level.

However, workers at State Secretariat, Ibadan, carried out their work as usual on Wednesday, with Ogundiran saying compliance was expected to take effect by Wednesday evening.

“You recall 2012-2018 promotion is outstanding in Oyo state. In the primary sector, it is since the year 2010. And after much pressure, the promotion interview and interview was conducted and that of 2012 was concluded, but letters were released to very few workers. So majority have not privileged to have their letters because the government placed an embargo on it.

“For those released, when it was time for financial implementation was to commence, it became an issue. The government stopped it saying that it had to pay arrears of salary and that was in September 2018. Since then, we have been putting pressure on the government. When arrears were cleared, we asked when they will give the promotion financial effect but nothing has happened till now.

“Till now, 2012-2016 promotion that has not been made effective. You have people who claim to be on level 9 still earning the salary of level 7 officer; someone on level 14 still earning the salary of a level 12 officer. So, what is promotion if it does not enhance the financial status of the worker? We are asking that when will the government start effecting the promotion letters that have been given to our members?

“We asked them to expedite action, nothing has happened. And the seven day ultimatum lapsed on Monday and then another one day which lapsed Tuesday. It was then we decided that a three-day warning strike start today (Wednesday). It will take full effect later today (Wednesday),” Ogundiran said.