The Lagos State Government convened a Joint Negotiating Council (JNC) meeting on Tuesday in Alausa, Ikeja, to resolve pending labor concerns as well as staff-related career development and welfare issues in the State Public Service. The meeting, according to the Chairman of the Council and Permanent Secretary, Office of Establishments and Training, Dr. Biodun Onayele, was designed to provide a platform to sustain the industrial harmony already enjoyed in the State and demonstrates the State Government’s willingness to continue to interact and communicate with Union Leaders on a regular basis.
He extended gratitude to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for allowing the Council Meeting’s holding, as well as to the Union Leaders for their cooperation and support, which allows the State to experience industrial peace and harmony.
Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okun-ola, the Head of Service, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Local Government Service Commission, Mr. Abiodun Bamgboye, disclosed that Mr. Governor has given the go-ahead to begin the process of salary increment for workers in the State while also approving the distribution of official vehicles to Directors in the State Civil Service.
In addition to commending the delegates for their devotion and attention in labor concerns, he gave them assurances about the State Government’s commitment to continuing to cooperate with and assist the Unions in their aspirations for their members.
Comrade Olusegun Balogun, Co-Chairman of the Council, praised the Governor for exhibiting leadership by initiating the process of salary hike for workers and approving the distribution of cars to Public Service Directors.
He also expressed gratitude to the State Government for its assistance in satisfying workers’ demands whenever they were given. The Chairman of the Trade Union Congress, Lagos State Branch, Comrade Ekundayo, was also present, as was the Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, who was represented by Comrade Tajudeen Gbadamosi; the Chairman of the Civil Service Commission, who was represented by Commissioner I, Mr. Adeshina Odeyemi, and the Director-General of the Office of Transformation, Creativity, and Innovation, Mr. Toba Otusanya. The Joint Negotiating Council meeting serves as a forum for interaction between government officials and all of the Industrial Unions operating in the State Public Service in order to address and decide on issues pertaining to the welfare of the staff as well as to promote industrial harmony in the service.
The State Public Service is represented by 17 unions that comprise the National Joint Negotiating Council (JNC). They include the Nigeria Civil Service Union (NCSU), the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE), the Agriculture and Allied Employees Union of Nigeria (AAEUN), Non-Academic Staff Union of Education (NASU), and the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (M&HWUN), among others.