LASG SUES FOR COOPERATION WITH LABOUR UNION Lagos State Government has called on the labour union in the State to cooperate and consider itself as a working partner with the government in other to bring about development and progress. The State Head of Service (HOS), Mrs. Josephine Oluseyi Williams, made the call at a three day retreat organised by the Ministry of Establishment, Training and Pension for Labour Union Leaders in Public and Tertiary institutions in the State. Williams stated that the retreat was designed to avail participants the privilege of examining past issues with a view to devising future strategies to handling industrial and labour relations in the state. According to her, “Union leaders, especially in the Public Service and State-owned tertiary institutions, must cooperate with the State Government on ways and means of ensuring that we provide an enabling environment for every Lagosian, be it resident or visitor’’. While noting that there would always be reasons for labour unions to make demands, she however implored them to do this within the confines of available resources. ``It is not a sin to make demands as there would always be reasons for them, but such demands should be made within the confines of what is available to the employer,” she said. The HOS also charged labour leaders to always use correct statistical data when negotiating for improved conditions of service. Williams commended the matured ways and manner in which union leaders in the states employ often conduct themselves when making demands, explaining that ``though government could not yield to all their demands in one swoop, but workers’ welfare and other legitimate rights would always get the deserved attention”. The union, in a joint statement, urged the state government to establish Office of the Special Adviser on Labour Matters as a means of fostering and ensuring sustainable and harmonious relationship, while also ensuring that agreements are implemented on time to prevent them from degenerating into labour action. With the theme: “Fostering Best Practice in Employee/Industrial Relations in Lagos State”, the retreat was aimed at equipping the labour unions with the art and sciences of negotiations to ensure harmonious working relationship with the government.
Posted on: Tue, 11 Nov 2014 21:17:51 +0000