Ondo labour unions threaten strike over FUTATH worker victimisation

Organised labour unions in Ondo State are issuing a stern warning to the management of the Federal University of Technology Akure Teaching Hospital (FUTATH) over alleged victimisation of workers. The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) claim that staff are being targeted and harassed specifically because of their involvement in trade unions.

“

Persistent reports of intimidation, victimisation and witch-hunting of labour leaders and trade union members solely on account of their legitimate trade union activities. Organised Labour shall resist, through every lawful means, any attempt to intimidate or suppress the leadership of its affiliates.

In a letter addressed to the hospital management, the unions stated that persistent reports indicate intimidation and witch-hunting of labour leaders and members solely for their legitimate union activities. They asserted that trade unionism is a constitutionally protected right, not a privilege, and vowed to resist any attempts to suppress union leadership through lawful means.

Beyond victimisation, the unions also highlighted a breach of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) governing the transition of the hospital from state to federal ownership. They pointed to the exclusion of workers whose names were on the agreed nominal roll and demanded their immediate inclusion in the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS).

“

Organised Labour wishes to remind your office that trade unionism is a constitutionally protected institution, not a privilege to be granted or withdrawn at the discretion of any public officer. No chief executive, regardless of office, possesses the legal authority to undermine workers’ lawful right to organise or to disregard obligations arising from a duly executed agreement.

The unions have given the hospital management a seven-day ultimatum to address these issues. Failure to comply will be seen as a rejection of resolutions and the MoU, compelling the labour unions to initiate an indefinite industrial action. They are demanding an immediate halt to practices pressuring workers to renounce union membership and full compliance with the MoU's provisions.

“

Failure to comply fully with the foregoing demands within the stipulated seven-day period shall be interpreted as a deliberate rejection of the resolutions of Organised Labour and a continued repudiation of the Memorandum of Understanding. In that event, Organised Labour shall have no alternative but to immediately activate all lawful industrial dispute resolution mechanisms available to it, including the commencement of an indefinite industrial action that may result in the