Baring any last-minute unusual intervention, strike is looming at Water Corporation of Oyo State following the expiration of a 72-hour ultimatum given to the Oyo State Government by the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical And Recreational Service Employees (AUPCTRE) over outstanding deductions, shortage of workers and other issues.
The union, had on January 20, 2021 written a letter to Governor Seyi Makinde through the Office of the Secretary to the State Government.
The letter which was sigted by journalists on Friday shows that it was acknowledged by the office of SSG on the same day.
The union demanded a prompt payment of outstanding deductions, safety of lives and property of the Water Corporation,an increment in montly subvention, supply of chemicals to the Corporation, recruitment of workers in the Corporation and apointment of substantive General Manager for the organization.
According to the statement signed by the State Secretary of AUPCTRE, Comrade Ibrahim Mohamed, failure to meet the demands within 72 hours the union would have no option but to embark on strike.
The letter reads in part:”I bring to Your Excellency fraternal greetings from the state leadership of the above named union and to inform Your Excellency that after a series of meetings with the management of Water Corporation and Government representatives without finding lasting solutions to our demands, the union is left with no other option than to issue this letter on the above subject matter.
“The union’s demands include:1. Payment of outstanding deductions, that is, Cooperative deductions, check-up bonus, leave bonus, car loan deductions, housing loan deduction and so on.
2. Safety of lives and properties of Water Corporation.3. Increment in montly subvention. 4. Availability of chemicals so that potable water can be available to the good people of Oyo State and its environs. 5. Recruitment of more workers for the Corporation and 6. Appointment of substantive General Manager.
“Consequently, with this situation in the corporation, the tension is building up among the workers which may affect the current smooth industrial relation in the Corporation and in the state.
“Finally, the union is by this letter therefore urging Your Excellency to intervene quickly to find lasting solution to our demands within 72 hours to avoid negative occurrence in the union management relations.
“Thanks for your anticipated result-oriented response.
However, Mohammed told journalists that with the expiration of the ultimatum, the workers are ready to embark on strike, insisting that the state government must pay all the arrears.
As gathered, no action has been taken by the government.
