Unionism: Association Urges NLC to Comply with Court Ruling

The Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government-Owned Companies (SSASCGOC) has warned the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) against interfering in what it described as a settled union jurisdiction dispute at the Industrial Training Fund (ITF).

In a statement on Sunday, its acting General Secretary, Akin Okudero, expressed concern over what the association called persistent and unlawful labour practices allegedly promoted by the NLC on behalf of its affiliate, the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE).

SSASCGOC explained that the dispute revolves around union jurisdiction at the ITF, which has been conclusively resolved by the National Industrial Court and the Court of Appeal, most recently in July 2023. The Court of Appeal affirmed that officers at grade level 07 and above in statutory corporations and government-owned companies fall exclusively under SSASCGOC, while AUPCTRE’s jurisdiction is limited to junior staff at grade level 06 and below.

The union said ITF management has complied with the court ruling by adopting a neutral position—neither coercing grade level 07 officers to join SSASCGOC nor remitting check-off dues for such officers to either union. The statement read in part:

“SSASCGOC views with grave concern the disturbing, incessant, and unlawful labour practices being promoted by the Nigerian Labour Congress on behalf of its affiliate unions, particularly the current issue at ITF involving AUPCTRE. Our member organisation ITF, in compliance with the Court of Appeal Judgment of 2023, has chosen to remain neutral, not coercing any level 7 officer to join SSASCGOC while refraining from remitting check-off dues to either union, thereby respecting the court order. SSASCGOC’s operations are legally backed by its registration under the Trade Union Act of Nigeria.”

The association commended ITF management for its responsible and law-abiding conduct, noting that check-off dues continue to be remitted to AUPCTRE for legitimate members at grade level 06 and below. It also criticised AUPCTRE for lobbying the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, insisting that only the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment has statutory authority over union matters and that no ministry or department can review or overturn court judgments.

The statement added: “We condemn the attempts by AUPCTRE to involve the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment in a matter that falls solely under the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment. No ministry or department has the authority to review court rulings.”

Responding to claims that Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution guarantees an absolute right for workers to join any union, SSASCGOC noted that freedom of association is a qualified right, subject to existing labour laws and established union jurisdictions.

The association urged the NLC to operate within constitutional and legal frameworks, warning against actions that could cause discord among labour centres or disrupt economic activities. It also called on the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment to caution the NLC against threatening its member organisations over what it described as a “rested case” regarding the unionisation of senior staff in statutory corporations and government-owned companies.

SSASCGOC expressed confidence that the matter will continue to be resolved in accordance with existing court judgments.