NUPTE, PTECSSAN tango over ZTE Nigeria check-off dues

The current crisis plaguing the umbrella labour union in the country is taking its toll on ZTE Nigeria Limited, as the two workers unions pledging allegiance to Comrades Aliyu Wabba and Joe Ajaero are laying claims to the company’s check-off dues.
The unions – National Union of Postal and Telecommunications Employees (NUPTE) and Private Telecommunications & Communications Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PTECSSAN) have been at daggers drawn culminating in PTECSSAN under Ajaero-led United Labour Congress picketing ZTE Nigeria last week. Lamenting the disruption in the company’s operations occasioned by the picketing, Country Human Resources Manager, ZTE Nigeria, Brielle Gao said as embarrassing as the action was, PTECSSAN did not follow due process as there was no warning issued whatsoever to the company.
According to her, ZTE Nigeria has been remitting appropriate labour dues to NUPTE since 2011 because local staff of the company belonged to the union. She noted that for GTE Nigeria to embrace the change being sought by PTECSAN, due process must be followed.
Debunking claims that the local staff had notified NUPTE of their intention to switch, Gao said: “The management contacted NUPTE immediately it received the mail regarding the changes, but we were told that they (NUPTE) are not aware of anyone leaving their union. The law is very clear on the matter. Every individual member has to write to the union and copy the management if anyone desires to opt out of the union”.
In a response to a PTECSSAN mail on the issue, Gao said: “I the management, as required by law and practice sought the comments of NUPTE towards the request of the staff of ZTE Nigerian Limited.