FG STILL OWES NUP EIGHT MONTHS ARREARS

The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), has
said the federal government is yet to pay
eight months arrears of the check off dues
owed the union after President Goodluck
Jonathan authorized the payment of 14
months arrears to pensioners.
According to a statement by Secretary
General of the NUP, Elder Actor Zal, said only
6 months arrears were released to the
union.
President Jonathan had late last year in a bid
to avoid an industrial action agreed with the
leadership of NUP, NLC and TUC to pay all the
outstanding arrears of the union's check-
off dues.
Comrade Elder Actor Zal said the amount
released which totaled about N90 million
covered November 2012 to April 2013, and
about 8 months arrears are still pending.
The statement also said the NUP is the only
voice and representative of the entire civil
service pensioners, adding that one
Emmanuel Omoyeni who is claiming to be
national chairman of a group of pensioners,
Association of Federal Civil Service Retirees
(AFCSR), cannot represent pensioners.
“NUP is a registered and legitimate Trade
Union recognized by the extant labour law
and constitution of the Federal Republic of
Nigeria. And just like other registered trade
unions is entitled to collection of check off
dues from its members.
“The association chief Omoyeni claims to
represent is a business outfit registered
with Corporate Affairs Commission and not
a registered trade union which would be
entitled it to any check off dues.
“Chief Omoyeni should have at the back of
his mind that as a pensioner he is bounded
by the code of practice of the union and that
his anti-union activities are punishable
under the union's constitution could earn
him expulsion from the union.
“It is therefore unreasonable and
incomprehensible for Chief Omoyeni and his
illegal association which is not entitled to
check off due to have demanded for it in the
first place,” the statement said.