..Union demand clarification on letter from govt over retirement
The Joint Negotiating Council, under the aegis of Unions of Osun State-owned tertiary institutions yesterday issued a 14 days ultimatum to Governor Gboyega Oyetola to pay their 30months arrears of modulated salary owned by Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola led-Administration.
The council threatened to embark on an indefinite strike action if the government failed to address the demands of the Union at the expiration of the ultimatum which commenced from Wednesday 9th to Tuesday 22nd February, 2022.
The unions in the four State-owned institutions, Osun State College of Education, Ilesa; Osun State College of Education, lla-Orangun; Osun State Polytechnic, Iree; and Osun State College of Technology, Esa-Oke demanded clarification on letter from govt over retirement.
The council, in a letter obtained by our correspondent jointly signed by the chairmen and Secretaries of Senior Staff Association of Nigeria and Non-Academic Staff Union of Osun State Polytechnic, Iree, Comrade Adegboyega Okunola, Comrade Samuel Agbolade, and Comrade Oguntoye Aderemi, Comrade A.O Balogun (Mrs.) respectively.
Others signatories are; Com. M.A Adepoju Chairman NASU OSCOED, Ilesa ,Com.A.F.Olanrewaju Chairman SSUCOEN OSCOED, Ilesa, Com. S.A. Arinla Chairman NASU OSSCE ,Ila-orangun, Com. Ojo Akintunde, Chairman SSUCOEN OSSCE, Ila-orangun, Com, Sa. Bello Chairman Nasu Oscotech,Esa-oke,Com. A.O. Ajilore Chairman SSANIP, OSCOTECH, Esa-oke, Com. A.A. Adeleke Secretary NASU ,OSCOED, Ilesa, Com. D.B. Idowu-korede (Mrs) Secretary SSUCOEN, OSCOED, Ilesa, Com. S.O. Olayiwola, Secretary NASU OSSCE Ila-orangun, Com. S.G. Idowu Secretary SSUCOEN Ossce Ila-orangun,Com. E.O. Obitade Secretary NASU OSCOTECH Esa-oke
Com.A.V. Ajibade (Mrs) Secretary SSANIP OSCOTECH, Esa-oke and
Com. Onibonokuta Obasanjo Chairman JNC,
Com. Adeleke Abiodun Secretary JNC.
The Unions expressed their displeasure over the government response to the Union agitation stating, that the state government has took their patience for granted.
“The Council in session extensively considered the delay in the implementation of the New Minimum wage as its affect only the Tertiary Institutions in the State, the Council seriously frowned at the way and manner the Government is treating our issues despite the unusual cooperation and understanding we had with the Government.
“The 30months arrears of modulated salary which His Excellency Governor Gbonyega Oyetola promised to pay since is still being awaited despite having spent more than three years in office.
“The Council equally considered the issue of 65 years Retirement Age, that the law signed by the Osun State Government through His Excellency, Governor Rauf Adesoji Aregbes on July 21, 2014 stipulated that the retirement age for all categories of workers in the State-Owned Tertiary Institutions will be 65 years (irrespective of the length of service). The Union demands that a letter of clarification from Government be released with immediate effects
“The Council noticed with dismay that the Bureau of Pension Service is insisting that 35 years of service is still being used for our retiring members despite the existing law duly enacted by the State of Osun House of Assembly and assented to by the then Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola.
“Also the Union frowned at non-payment of deduction arrears for four months of May and June 2019, February and April 2020 which are still outstanding. The Union demands the release of these deductions without further delay.
“2019, 2020 and 2021 Promotion Exercises: The Union is serious dissatisfied that 2019, 2020 and 2021 promotion exercises are still being delayed despite the fact that a circular for their commencement had been issued by the State Government. The Union demands for immediate commencement and completion of 2019, 2020 and 2021 promotion exercises without further delay.
“Contributory Pension Fund: it is very unfortunate that the issue of contributory pension’s scheme has not been resolved despite the continued agitations and recommendations from various unions on the matter.
“Under Staffing: It is very painful that the last recruitment done in the state owned tertiary institutions was in 2008 and most of our institutions are seriously under-staffed because there are no replacement for the retirees, those who died in active service and those who transferred their services. The letter added
