By Aderogba George
The Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC) has urged tiers of government and their negotiating councils to engage sincerely with trade unions to enhance worker’s welfare nationwide.
Mr Benjamin Anthony, the National President of JNPSNC Trade Union Side made this call at the FCT election on Thursday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that JNPSNC consists of workers from various unions across both public and private organisations.
Some of these unions include the Medical and Health Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), Nigeria Civil Service Union (NCSU), and the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM).
Others are the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporation, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE), among others.
NAN also reports that all these unions are affiliates of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
Anthony urged the government’s negotiating council to act sincerely to implement policies that improve the public service and workers’ welfare.
He stated that JNPSNC’s national leadership is committed to enhancing its negotiating capacity and service delivery for public sector workers nationwide.
He stressed the importance of collective bargaining and negotiationbetween labour unions and the government.
Mr Adoga Aruwa, Vice Chairperson of NLC FCT Chapter, urged those elected to carry out their responsibilities with integrity, emphasising that leadership is a divine calling.
He added that the newly elected executives must work towards making the FCT branch of JNPSNC more prominent.
In his acceptance speech, the newly elected Chairman of JNPSNC FCT Chapter, Mr Jama Medan, pledged to work towards promoting industrial harmony and improving the working conditions of public servants under the FCT administration.
Medan stated that his administration would ensure that JNPSNC FCT is properly structured, adding that having a Head of Service in the FCT administration would boost the morale of the joint union.
“We are going to work very well. Our responsibility is to negotiate better working conditions and create good industrial relations with the government.
“The key difference between us and our predecessors will be our effort to establish a platform where we can negotiate and advocate more effectively for improved working conditions for our members,” he said.
NAN reports that Mr Shuaibu Onucheyo was elected Secretary, Mr Adoga Aruwa was elected Treasurer, and Captain Kabul was elected Assistant Secretary.
Others elected include Mr Aliyu Maradun, Mr Anthony Obinenche, and Mr Alade Israel as Ex-Officio 1, 2, and 3, respectively.
NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA