The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has emphasised the need for labour leaders to get necessary training in modern method of negotiation.
The union’s statement is coming amidst controversies surrounding the industrial action called by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to kick against an increase in the price of Premium Motor Spirit, also referred to as petrol, by the Federal Government on May 11.
The government had increase the price of petrol by 67.6 per cent from 86.50 Naira to 145 Naira, a development that the labour union said it would resist.
Negotiations between the NLC and the Federal Government yielded no result, as the NLC had a divided leadership, which had weakened its strength.
Support For Ongoing Strike
At the opening ceremony of its capacity building held at Michael Imoudu Centre for Labour Studies in Ilorin for members of the union, the leadership of the union said proper training in negotiation would enable labour leaders achieve good result for their members.
The union also expressed its support for the ongoing strike against the petrol price increase, calling on the Federal Government to lay out its plan for permanent solution to fuel crisis.
In his speech, the Deputy National President of the Union, Moses Adeniyi, pointed out that the workshop was meant to sharpen the skills of the members in the modern method of labour issues and to mould them as better leaders.
The need for them to be refined and think logically while bargaining for their members, he added, should be given priority, saying it was another reason for the workshop.
In his paper presentation entitled, “Effective Communication and Interpersonal Skills”, Adekunle Tinuoye, from Michael Imoudu said simplicity, team work and motivation were some of the traits a good labour leader should possess.
Another speaker at the occasion, Ezekiel Ayorinde, in his paper entitled, “Collective Bargaining and Negotiation Skills”, described bargaining as the major tool to be used by labour leaders.
Strengthening of the labour unions he said would go a long way in achieving result for workers especially in the arrears of minimum wage, which the NLC was also asking the government to increase from 18,000 Naira to 56,000 Naira.