NUC withdraws strike notice formally issued to banks

NLC President, Mr. Ayuba Wabba (Punch)

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has withdrawn the strike notice which it issued to banks for sacking some of their staff.

Punch reports that the NLC President, Ayuba Wabba said that labour's next move will be determined by the outcome of ongoing negotiations.

Speaking at a press conference, Wabba said the meeting with the Director-General of theNigeria Employers’ Consultative Assembly(NECA), Abiodun Oshinowo, was productive.

The labour boss also said he is being briefed about the ongoing talks by the National Union of Banks, Insurance, and Financial Institutions Employees (NUBIFE).

Wabba said “This afternoon, we had a very productive meeting led by the DG of NECA, and his members from the banks particularly on the issue of the mass sacking and redundancy in the banks of which you are aware NLC has issued a notice to picket those banks.

“All of us have come to the conclusion that such a meeting is necessary and we have also taken on board the interest of the workers as provided for by the laws especially section 20 of the trade union Act which provides for such dialogue, such consultation before such a process is concluded.”

“And we have looked at the pros and the cons especially the process and also the fact that our affiliate, NUBIFE, was able to also update us on how far they have gone with the process of engagement with the various banks.

“We have come to an agreement and understanding that all of us will also agree to attend the tripartite meeting that is being proposed by the Federal Ministry of Labour to look at other issues auxiliary to this. And we have also agreed as NLC working with our affiliates to suspend all forms of hostilities including the picketing until that meeting takes place under the auspices of the Federal Ministry of Labour,” the NLC President said.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) had earlier threatened to shut down banks for sacking their workers despite the Federal Government's order