STRIKING Nigerian Telecommunications Limited (NITEL) workers have resisted management pleas to return to work.
The workers, under the umbrella bodies of National Union of Post and Telecommunication Employee (NUPTE) and Senior Staff of Association of Communication, Transport and Corporation (SSACTAC) last week embarked on a massive strike demanding better allowances.
The workers from the two organisations also demanded an increase in allowances as well as better working conditions.
At a press conference, presidents of both umbrella bodies said the their members are asking for the immediate payment of N4.5 billion telephone bills incurred by government agencies as well as N25 billion salary arrears owed by Transnational Corporation (Transcorp), among other demands.
Meanwhile, the company appealed to the striking workers to return to work.
“NITEL management is concerned about the labour action embarked upon by the workers, which is in its second day, today. The problem is the result of funding of NITEL. The Federal Government and Transcorp have put a plan in place for the funding of NITEL operations which the unions are aware of.
“Management believes that his will soon come to fruition and all outstanding issues will be resolved”, it said in a statement–
OKORO CHINEDU
