ASSOCIATION URGES NLC TO RESPECT COURT ORDER

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By: Balogun Ibrahim

The Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government-Owned Companies (SSASCGOC) has cautioned the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) against intervening in what it described as a resolved union jurisdiction dispute at the Industrial Training Fund (ITF).

In a statement on Sunday, acting General Secretary Akin Okudero expressed concern over what the association called ongoing and unlawful labour practices allegedly promoted by the NLC on behalf of its affiliate, the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE).

SSASCGOC said the dispute revolves around union jurisdiction at the ITF, which has been conclusively settled through rulings by the National Industrial Court and the Court of Appeal, most recently in July 2023. The appellate court affirmed that officers on grade level 07 and above in statutory corporations and government-owned companies fall exclusively under SSASCGOC, while AUPCTRE’s authority is limited to junior staff on grade level 06 and below.

The union added that ITF management has adhered to the court’s decision by maintaining a neutral position—neither compelling grade level 07 officers to join SSASCGOC nor remitting check-off dues for such staff to either union.

The statement read in part: “SSASCGOC is deeply concerned about the persistent and unlawful labour practices promoted by the Nigerian Labour Congress on behalf of its affiliate unions, particularly the current issue at ITF involving AUPCTRE.”

It added, “Our member organisation, ITF, in line with the 2023 Court of Appeal judgment, has chosen to remain neutral neither forcing any level 7 officer to join SSASCGOC nor remitting check-off dues to either union thereby respecting the court’s order. SSASCGOC’s operations are fully legal, grounded in its registration under the Trade Union Act of Nigeria.”

The association praised ITF management for its responsible and law-abiding approach, noting that the fund continues to remit check-off dues to AUPCTRE for eligible members on grade level 06 and below.

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SSASCGOC also criticised AUPCTRE for reportedly lobbying the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment to intervene in the ITF dispute, insisting that only the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment has statutory authority over union matters. The association stressed that no ministry or department can review or overturn court judgments.

“We condemn the actions of AUPCTRE in seeking the intervention of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment in a matter that falls exclusively under the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment. No ministry or department has the authority to review court rulings,” the statement said.

Responding to claims that Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution guarantees an absolute right for workers to join any union, SSASCGOC described freedom of association as a qualified right, subject to existing labour laws and established union jurisdictions.

The association urged the NLC to operate within constitutional and legal frameworks, warning against actions that could cause discord among labour centres or disrupt economic activities. It also called on the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment to caution the NLC against threatening its member organisations over what it described as a “rested case” concerning the unionisation of senior staff in statutory corporations and government-owned companies.

SSASCGOC expressed confidence that the matter would continue to be resolved in accordance with existing court judgments.