Joe Ajaero Finally Leads NLC Faction Out to Form United Labour Congress (ULC)

Joe Ajaero Finally Leads NLC Faction Out to Form United Labour Congress (ULC)

After many months of being a factional president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero on Saturday, presided over the transformation of his NLC faction into a parallel labour union.

The new labour union named the United Labour Congress (ULC), consists of 25 industrial unions which were loyal to the Ajaero-led NLC faction. The influential National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas workers (NUPENG) was one of the 25 unions.

Ajaero who doubles as the general secretary of the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), was elected the president of the ULC at its maiden delegates conference in Lagos. He was elected unopposed.

Premium Times reports that Ajaero promised to fight for the interest of workers and ensure a more equitable Nigeria where workers’ dignity and the work place would become less prone to impunity.

”The new labour centre instead of weakening the movement will present labour as a creative partner that has strategic benefits for its publics, especially the employers and the government,” he said.

The ULC president also noted that the issue of NLC faction was over and that the new union was not in competition with any other group.

Ajaero said the ULC would embark on its first major outing on Tuesday, in a protest march against a leading airline in the country, accused of unfair labour practices, including seven months unpaid salaries to workers affiliated to ULC.

The affiliates of ULC include NUPENG, NUEE, Nigeria Union of Mine Workers, National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Employees and the Nigeria Union of Rail Workers.

Others are the National Union of Lottery Agents and Employees, Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals and National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers.