The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has defeated Union Bank at the National Industrial Court (NIC) over its refusal to pay terminal benefits of more than 500 workers of one of its subsidiaries, Union Homes Savings and Loan Plc.
A statement signed by the President of TUC, Quadri Olaleye, explained that the judgment delivered by Justice S.H. Danjidda, on June 20, 2022, ordering the bank to pay up or face any industrial action deemed fit by the labour centre, was a victory for the affected staff, the Nigerian workers general and masses.
He said the judgment further demonstrated that the NIC was indeed progressive and hopeful for the Nigerian workers.
According to him, the case which was commenced by Union Bank in 2021, sought to stop the congress from picketing or carrying out any other industrial action against the bank, despite refusing to pay the terminal benefits of the about 500 staff of Union Homes, which have become due since 2014.
The statement said the court dismissed the claims of Union Bank and held that Congress was legally entitled to carry out picketing and other industrial actions against the bank to demand the fulfilment of the bank’s obligations to the TUC members.
It stated that the court agreed with the submission of the union’s attorney, Abdullah Omoloye and granted the two principal reliefs sought by the TUC in her counterclaim.
“In essence, the court affirmed the entitlement of the affected members of the congress to their terminal benefits and ordered the bank to pay all the outstanding terminal benefits,” It said.
Efforts to reach the bank for reaction proved abortive, as a staff of the media department, who promised to get back could not.
Credit : CHANNELS TV.
