Ebonyi State workers on Friday commenced a 7-day warning strike over the unwillingness of the state governor, David Umahi, to pay them salary based on current salary table.
The workers noted with sadness that the government refused to pay them even when the economic reality of the state clearly showed that the government could “conveniently and comfortably” pay the salary and have enough funds to execute other projects.
The strike notice was contained in a bulletin No.12 titled: “Rejection of Dr. Sam O. Egwu’s Committee Report and Seven Days Warning Strike”, saying the earlier agreement reached between the workers and government should be respected.
The organised labour stressed that the salary table as approved by the Ebonyi State Government and established in circular No 3/2015 with Ref: NO: HOS/EPM/OO74/20, dated 9th April 2015, with effect from February 2015 remains binding and irreversible.
According to the union, on July 21, after a meeting convened by Mr. Umahi, a committee was set up, led by former governor of the state, Sam Egwu, to look into the salary issue and come up with an acceptable position.
“But the committee submitted its report on Wednesday September2, 2015 without recourse to the organized labour submissions based on economic reality of the state,” said the workers.
The labour union frowned that the Egwu-led committee which hitherto professed neutrality in the mediation process, submitted a report that warranted the Head of Service to issue a circular without the knowledge of the labour union.
“We reject the report of Dr. Egwu-led committee because it is biased and did not accommodate the presentations of the organized labour.
“In the light of the foregoing, all workers are hereby directed to commence warning strike from Friday 4 to Friday 11th September, 2015,” the bulletin read in part.
The organized labour therefore urged workers to observe fast and prayers while on strike in order to make God touch the heart of the government to pay the negotiated wage.