Workers Issue 21-day Ultimatum to NIPOST Management

• Workers Issue 21-day Ultimatum to NIPOST Management

Workers of the Nigerian Postal Service have issued a 21-day ultimatum to the management of the organisation to address lingering staff welfare issues or face nationwide protests.

The threat was contained in a memo issued jointly by the National Union of Postal and Telecommunications Employees and the Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporation and Government Owned Companies.

In the memo signed by Comrade Buba Nehemiah, President of NUPTE and Comrade Msheliza Inusa, President of SSASCGOC, NIPOST Branch, the associations said that despite several meetings, the management had not responded to the agreement reached with the unions.

The union said, “We wish to refer you to the resolutions as contained in the minutes of our joint meetings with the management in August, October and December 2018 respectively.

“However, the unions regrettably express their dismay over lack of commitment on the part of management towards the welfare of workers as the promises made have yet to be fulfilled.

“Consequently, appropriate consultations with National Administrative Council of NUPTE and SSASCGOC (NIPOST Branch) over the failure of the management to fulfil its pledges, had resolved and hereby issue a 21-day ultimatum to the management of NIPOST to address the following issues as agreed at the said meetings: (1) Rent enhancement 2017 – 2018 and (2) Payment of staff claims.

“It is pertinent to note that failure to meet these conditions at the expiration of the ultimatum will compel the unions to request their members to embark on nationwide peaceful protest.”

A top management staff member of NIPOST, who spoke to our correspondent on condition of anonymity, said that efforts were on to resolve the issues raised by the unions.

The official said, “We have met with the unions. They raised some issues where there had been agreements. It was explained to them why the management had not been able to meet with the resolutions.

“The NIPOST is a family and efforts are on to resolve the issues. The unions and the management are partners and as partners, we are working to resolve the issues amicably.”

The official expressed confidence in the capacity of the management to reach a workable agreement with the workers before the expiration of the ultimatum.