Staff of Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) under the aegis of Amalgamated Union of Public Corporation and Recreation Service Employees (AUPTRE) has concluded plans to embark on indefinite strike Wednesday, over alleged refusal by management of the Commission and Ministry of Trade and Investment to implement an agreement entered into with the union four years ago.
Sources at the Commission disclosed to Vigil360 that the aggrieved staff had embarked on a 3-day strike in February for the same reason. The strike was called-off following the intervention of the Minister of Trade and Investment who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in a crucial meeting with the aggrieved staff.
However, according to union chairman, Ibrahim Kirfi, months after the peace talk, the Management of the Commission was yet to implement the new agreement. He listed their demands to include payment of salary differentials of 9% from January 2014, immediate inauguration of a committee to bridge the gap in salaries between executive and non-executive staff, payment of promotion arrears and other welfare related packages.
A meeting between the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Trade and Investment, Mr. Aminu Aliyu Bisalla with union members yesterday was deadlocked. Although another meeting has been scheduled to hold today by 3pm, the aggrieved staff are currently mobilizing towards the strike, which could thwart the Commission’s recent commencement of 24 hour operation.
The situation could also affect the Executive order recently signed by the Acting President Yemi Osinbajo which was intended to "address efficiency in the business environment, local content in public procurement and timely submission of the budget".
Efforts to reach the Registrar-General of the Commission, Mahmud Bello was futile as he neither picked or returned calls to his number. At the time of filing this report, he was yet to respond to text messages.
