AUPCTRE institute sues DESOPADEC over unlawful labor practice

By Albert Akota Abuja

The Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Technical and Recreational Employees (AUPCTRE), has instituted a suit against Delta State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (DESOPADEC), before National Industrial Court, over alleged unlawful labor practice against their union members.
When the matter came up for hearing, the judge, Justice Babatunde Adejumo, said all parties should maintain status quo.
The judge held that the order will be subsisting pending the hearing and determination of the matter before the court.
The judge also ordered the transfer of the case to Yenegoa division of the court for continuation of trial Aduojo Abah, the claimant’s counsel in the originating process is seeking for declaration and order of the court in some practices of the defendant he alleged are unlawful against the defendant’s staffs who is their union members.
AUPCTRE, the claimant, in the originating process prayed the court to declare that the refusal of the defendant to address issues of workers welfare constitute unfair labour practice.
Abah alleged that AUPCTRE- DESOPADEC branch through several attempts had made efforts to have meetings with the defendant, but the defendant never honoured any of the invitations.
He said one of the reliefs the claimant is seeking for their members is an order compelling the defendant to pay arrears of 30% of salaries they have owed them from July, 2009 till date.
The council also said another of the union demand for their members is payment of their End-of- Year allowance for two years.
According to Abah, the claimant is also seeking an order compelling the defendant to implement the medical package as stipulated in the Staff Conditions of Service.
Abah said the claimant is seeking an order of the court to compel the defendant to set aside the queries and suspension issued to members as a result of their union activities.
He said the union is demanding promotion for members who are due for promotion in line with the provision of the defendant Staff Conditions of Service.