Ayomide Awe
The Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government-Owned Companies (SSASCGOC) has commenced picketing at the headquarters of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) in Abuja over alleged suppression of union activities, non-recognition of its branch executives and failure to remit members’ deducted union dues.
The industrial action followed the expiration of a three-day notice issued to the RMRDC management after an earlier seven-working-day ultimatum reportedly failed to produce a resolution of the lingering labour disputes.
The union, in a statement dated November 12, 2026, said it was compelled to embark on the picketing following what it described as the management’s persistent refusal to address fundamental labour rights and administrative grievances affecting senior staff members of the council.
Among the grievances listed by the association are the alleged failure to remit accrued check-off dues deducted from members’ salaries, interference in the internal affairs of the union and restrictions on eligible senior officers from freely joining and participating in its activities.
SSASCGOC also accused the RMRDC management of refusing to recognise its branch executives and allegedly suppressing the operations of the union’s branch and its general membership.
The association said it had earlier issued a seven-working-day notice to the management on September 23, 2026, demanding urgent intervention to resolve the disputes.
However, following the alleged failure of the management to address its demands, the union issued a further three-day notice, warning that it would resort to full-scale industrial action if the issues remained unresolved by Wednesday, November 11.
In the notice signed by its Acting General Secretary, Comrade Akin Okudero, SSASCGOC threatened an indefinite picketing of the council’s headquarters without further notice.
The statement partly read, “Take notice that if the RMRDC management fails to address all demands before the expiration of this three-day notice, expiring November 11, 2026, SSASCGOC will proceed with full industrial action, including a total and indefinite picketing of the RMRDC headquarters, Abuja, without any further notice.”
The union called on the council’s management to take advantage of the opportunity to resolve the disputes, warning that failure to do so could further disrupt industrial relations and administrative activities within the organisation.
It also said copies of the industrial action notice had been forwarded to relevant government authorities and security agencies, including the Minister of Labour and Employment, the President of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, the Director-General of the Department of State Services and the Inspector-General of Police.
The association maintained that the intervention of the relevant authorities was necessary to ensure respect for workers’ rights, protect the autonomy of trade unions and restore industrial harmony at the council.
Do you want to share a story with us? Do you want to advertise with us? Do you need publicity for a product, service, or event? Contact us on WhatsApp +2348183319097 Email: platformtimes@gmail.com
We are committed to impactful investigative journalism for human interest and social justice. Your donation will help us tell more stories. Kindly donate any amount HERE
