By Yakubu LAAH investadvocate

Jan 17 2011 12.12 GMT

Lagos (INVESTADVOCATE)-The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) in Abuja Nigeria issued a seven day ultimatum to the Management of Union Bank of Nigeria Plc (UBN) to reverse their action on the withdrawal of its recognition of Union Bank Association of Seniour Staff (UBASS) and the local chapter of Association of Seniour Staff of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions (ASSBIFI) affiliated to the NLC.

The local chapter of ASSIBIFI of the Bank has been in a running battle since mid year 2010 with the Funke Osibodu led Management.

 

As earlier reported by investadvocate, the issues which the workers are agitating for include massive layoff of workers without following due process, the cut off of workers’ salaries, and tax deductions.

 

Other are the salary structure and pension policy rolled-out effective July 01 2010, reduction in terminal benefits (gratuity), ethnic prejudice, the wide disparity in the overseas medical allowances of members of General Management and the Directorate amongst others; which the staffs were unhappy with.

 

Osibodu and her Management team on Thursday January 13 2011 withdrew recognition of UBASS and ASSIBIFI affirming that the strike action they embarked upon late year 2010 was illegal and therefore had gone contrary to the terms of offer as regards their employment with the Bank.

 

Following the above, the Bank withdrew their recognition of the two bodies and issued a Statement to that effect.

 

The Statement titled “Withdrawal of recognition of Union Bank Association of Senior Staff (UBASS), Association of Senior Staff of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions (NLC Affiliate) (ASSBIFI)” reads thus:

“Following the unlawful operations of UBASS and ASSBIFI, Union Bank of Nigeria Plc has withdrawn its recognition of the above named trade union bodies with immediate effect. All concerned have been duly advised. The general public should please take note”.

 

Meanwhile as reported by investadvocate Friday January 14 2011, sacking is imminent staff of the Bank who took active part in the mid-December 2010 industrial action; especially it’s Union Leaders.

 

investadvocate sought the reaction of Francis Barde, Principal Manager, Corporate Affairs of the Bank on the NLC ultimatum to the Bank; but he affirmed that he only read the story in the pages of Newspapers.

 

“I will tomorrow get official reaction from the Management of the Bank and give an update on that.” Barde said.