The FCT Administration has appealed to workers of the Abuja Environmental Protection Board, (AEPB), to shelve their planned industrial action over non-payment of Consolidated Research and Allied Institutions Salary Structure (CONRAISS).
The FCT Permanent Secretary, Mr. Olusade Adesola, made the appeal during an emergency meeting with the workers led by the Chairman of the Joint Unions Action Committee (JUAC), Oluwakorede Matilukuro, on Thursday in Abuja.
Adesola also enjoined the staff to stop the planned industrial action in the interest of peace and industrial harmony in the territory, considering the cordial relationship between them and the management.
The permanent secretary stated that his office was not averse to paying the workers their entitlements but was only waiting for the process to be completed by the National Wages and Salary Commission.
He, therefore, urged the workers to be patient and show understanding with the administration for the procedure to be diligently followed and completed.
Adesola explained that the present leadership of the FCT Administration was workers’ friendly and places high priority on the welfare and the well-being of workers.
He said,”as such, we will not do anything that could change that robust policy.”
He, however, said that the implementation of a salary structure code named ‘Research and Allied Institutions’ could have long- term implication for the careers of the officers.
Adesola said,”there is an overture to the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission (NSIWC) for a fit-for-purpose salary structure for the AEPB.”
Adesola appealed to the union to exercise more patience, adding that the action being undertaken was in the best interest of all.
He added: ” Embarking on industrial action will not serve anyone’s best interest at this time considering the efforts the current FCT administration is reputed for paying FCT workers’ salary as and when due.”
Responding, the leader of the delegation, who is also the JUAC Chairman, Oluwakorede Matilukuro, appealed to the Administration to expedite action to avoid resorting to industrial action.