Campaign for Democratic and Workers’ Rights, CDWR, has condemned the indefinite suspension of some executives of the A&P Foods/Pladis Global for protesting poor working conditions.
A press statement signed by the National Secretary of the organisation, Victor Osakwe, disclosed that the branch union Chairperson, Vice Chairperson and Treasurer were suspended indefinitely while five other EXCO members were given final warning workers.
The group called on activists, workers and the general public to intervene by putting pressure on the union leadership, demanding the reversal of the suspension slammed on the branch leaders.
CDWR also called for an end to intimidation of workers and activists and a stop to using the union as an enforcement agency of management.
Narrating the genesis of the problem the statement noted that workers of A&P Foods/Pladis Global on Monday November 26, 2018, turned their clothes inside-out in reaction to the dwindling working condition for few minutes and were queried by the national secretariat of the National Union of Food, Beverage and Tobacco Employees, NUBTE.
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Not satisfied with the officers response to the query, the union leaders on Tuesday December 18, 2018, suspended some officials namely: Rasheed Onabanjo (Chairperson), Jude Okogbe (Vice Chairperson) and Abiodun Olufemi (Treasurer) indefinitely from the union while “final last warning” letters were issued to Stella Ovie Adube (Secretary), Emmanuel Amos (Assistant Secretary), Uchechukwu Okere (Financial Secretary), Comrade Ola Olu Fadare (Ex-Officio 1) and Comrade Sikiru Ishola (Ex-Officio 2).
This, the statement said led workers to embark on strike action. CDWR accused management of A&P Foods of constantly attacking the working conditions of workers citing the reduction of the end-of-the-year bonus from 250% of basic salary to 100% and 10 cartoons of biscuit bonus to 2 cartoons amongst other issues.
It also accused the company’s HR Director, Mrs. Abiola Olubiyi, of being highhanded in her approach and relationship towards workers.
CDWR lamented that the national leaders of NUFBTE have taken side with management.
