By Emmanuel Elebeke

Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, has issued a month ultimatum to the management of Union Bank of Nigeria, UBN Plc, as they concluded negotiations on perceived unlawful sack and payment of gratuities to 2,710 ex-staff of the bank or risk series of industrial actions.

This came as the ex-workers staged a peaceful protest at the Marina Headquarters of the bank over alleged unpaid benefits among others.

In an eight-point petition to Mrs Funke Osibodu, Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of UBN, dated May 24, the umbrella body for senior staff associations in the country, TUC, warned that if by 22nd June, 2011, UBN management maintains its lack of willingness in this case, the Congress shall be left with no option than to take all the necessary industrial actions to resist and respond to your current hide and seek game.

The petition by TUC through its Secretary-General, Chief John Kolawole, read in part; “Unfortunately, however, your Management had since the commencement of the negotiations, till date, displayed lack of willingness to negotiate after the breathing space from an impending picketing saved by NECA. To substantiate our claims, we recall that during the first meeting scheduled for 27th April, 2011, your Management refused to show up on the excuse of the burial of the mother of the Group Managing Director/CEO, which was not taking place on the date. The meeting was rescheduled for 5th of May, 2011, but barely less than one hour into the meeting when critical issues were to be addressed; the Head of your delegation, Executive Director, Operations, Mr. Ade Shonubi rushed out of the meeting claiming that he had an ‘urgent’ appointment. The third meeting was scheduled for 19th May, 2011 at which Mr. Ade Shonubi again did not show up. Consequently, Mr. Mike Iyela, UBN Deputy General Manager, Human Resources, declared that he had no mandate for the negotiations. The fourth meeting was slated for 23rd May, 2011 but could not hold because Mr. Shonubi could not make himself available. The meeting has now been shifted to 22nd June, 2011 at his instance, though we are not convinced that he will make himself available on that date.”

Meanwhile, angered by the failure of management of UBN to pay their gratuities and other benefits, over 2,000 ex-workers of the bank, Thursday picketed the headquarters of the bank at Marina, Lagos.

Under the aegis of ‘The aggrieved Retired Union Bank of Nigeria Plc Staff,’ they displayed anti-management posters as well chanted anti-management songs.

Addressing members during the protest, Co-ordinator of the group, Mr. Victor Adefisan said it was regrettable and painful for the ex-staff to have put in a life-long labour to the progress of the bank without getting any reward from the management of the bank for the past five years.

He alleged that members were unilaterally disengaged between 2006 and 2008 in contravention of section 20, sub section 1c of the Labour Act and Article 5 sub section B, part II, section 1 of the existing industry-wide Collection Agreement, having served the bank meritoriously for several years, ranging from 10-30 years, while some were yet to complete the mandatory 35 years of service or attain retirement age of 60 years