Count us out of any threat against Akeredolu's govt--Ondo workers tell Union leaders
There are strong indications that workers in Ondo State may ignore any call by their Union leaders to embark on industrial action over the percentage payment of their September 2016 salary arrears.
The state government had last week paid the workers 80% of the September salary owed them by the immediate past administration following the receipt of about #7b Paris Club Refund from the federal government.
But the situation did not go down well with union leaders in the state who demanded the the full payment of their salary or the government risk a show down from the workers.
However, Richievoice gathered that workers have distanced themselves from activities of the union leaders accusing them of threatening an innocent government who has been working hard to make life bearable for workers in the state.
While the union leaders, are threatening to draw a battle line with government, majority of the workers are of the view that the union leaders have not been fair to the state government, which they said has not owed them a dime since it came to power in February this year.
The concerned workers are asking their leaders on the actions taken against the Mimiko's administration who owed them the said salary instead of threatening the innocent Akeredolu's government which they claimed deserves commendation for paying them the salary arrears.
The workers according to investigation have therefore resolved to ignore any call by the union leaders to embark on strike.
Richievoice gathered that the concerned workers have been circulating text messages asking their colleagues to ignore the union leaders and their proposed action.
Some of the messages read: “ONDO WORKERS SHINE YOUR EYES! Don’t allow greedy union leaders to use you to fester their nest.
“Iroko owed us many months and they did not strike because he settled them.
“Aketi has not owed us since he assumed office. The 80% paid as 2016 September salary was due to cash deficit and he informed the union leaders.
“He will pay workers their right due. Construction and rehabilitation of road network is ongoing state-wide. Aketi is working to take Ondo State to next level.
“Say no to strike action! Say no to selfish union leaders!! Let us join hands to build Ondo State!!!. Kindly inform others.” SENDER: OSWP.
A Grade level 10 civil servant, who does not want his name mentioned, urged the state government not to take the union leaders serious.
He said they have exchanged their birthright for a pot of porridge during the last administration immediately they openly declared for Mimiko during the 2012 governorship election in the state.
“We know them very well; some of them are living larger than their salaries . I know one of the union leaders, who on level eight and he has been buying cars for his girlfriends. He should explain to us where he got such money from.
“What they want is the continuation of how they are benefiting largesse from previous administration. They are toothless dogs, they cannot bites. We workers are not behind them”, the source said.
It would be recalled that organized labour in the state recently met, saying the 80 percent paid by the state government was a gift.
Government had equally promised to pay the remaining 20% soon.