CAC staff issue 21-day ultimatum on strike

The Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service, Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE), Corporate Affairs Commission chapter has issued a 21 day ultimatum to the management to implement some contending issues or face strike action.

A statement dated May 23, jointly signed by the union chairman, Ibrahim M.I. Kirfi and Secretary, Sadiq A. Shehu said following failure by the CAC management to honour series of agreements, “The union is left with no option than to take a very decisive action, as a result of management actions and inactions on the plight of the staff and the commission.”

The statement said the ministry of trade and investment has been unable to resolve the lingering crisis at the CAC, adding that “The union has held general meeting with staff members, where a major decision was taken. It is on record that many critical issues affecting the commission and the staff as contained in the agreement are left unanswered.”

The union said failure by the management to implement the agreement would lead to nationwide strike by staff of the commission. The 21 day ultimatum is with effect from May 23.

Contacted, the CAC said the union was not telling the whole truth on why the protracted industrial disharmony in the Commission remained unresolved.

Reacting to ultimatum, CAC’s Head of Public Affairs, Godfrey Ike, said members of the union walked out on the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr Aminu Bisala, who has been spearheading the mediation.

Ike told Daily Trust that the CAC had requested 9 per cent salary increment for its members but the Salaries and Wages Commission turned down the request.

He said the permanent secretary then asked the union the way forward since the 9 per cent increment had been turned down by the Wages Commission but the union walked out on the mediator, insisting on nothing but the increment.