Despite pleas from the Ondo State government to its public servants not to go on strike over the N18,000 minimum wage, the leadership of the workers has directed its members to stay off duty as from tomorrow.
The directive was sequel to expiration of the seven-day ultimatum earlier issued by the workers to the state government to implement the new package.
The public servants under the auspices of the Public Service Joint Negotiating Council (JNC) at a meeting held at the Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Arcade in Akure yesterday said the strike action was irreversible.
The workers who offered prayers at the meeting mandated the leadership to declare strike with effect from Thursday, June 23, 2011 if the government fails to heed to their demands.
They expressed annoyance over what was described as the government's uncaring stance over the matter describing it as time-buying attitude.
"If the state government declines to consider and approve the salary table agreed upon by workers and consequently issue an enabling circular to back up its immediate implementation between now and mid-night of Wednesday 22nd June, 2011 all workers in the public service of Ondo State shall proceed on an indefinite strike action with effect from Thursday, 23rd June, 2011," the JNC said.
But the state head of service, Ajose Kudehinbu said that the government was not preparing for workers' strike over the issue.
Facing the issue
Mrs Kudehinbu, who spoke to journalists at the meeting with the labour leaders said government had nothing to hide on the issue, declaring that the minimum wage matter between labour and the state government would soon be resolved.
"We are not preparing for a strike, we are preparing for a resolution of the crisis. The deputy governor led the government side and other top functionaries were at the meeting. What they said when they were asked to back down on the deadline they gave to the government was that they were going to consult with their members.
"We have not heard anything to the contrary; we expect them to tell their members that a Joint Technical Committee has been set up and we shall meet at 12noon today to resolve the matter. That does not amount to an ultimatum or a unilateral action on the part of government," she said.
The head of service added: "The essence of negotiation is for us to reach a consensus; government is not going to hide anything from workers. As a matter of fact, we also expect that the workers will bring to the table all the facts, all the data they have.
"If at the end of the day, it is clear to everybody that government can pay N18,000, why not? If on the other hand, it is clear that government cannot pay, again that is not a decision one side will take, government will not take that decision alone."
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