The National Industrial Court, Abuja, on Thursday passed a resolution ordering the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Technical and Recreational Employees (AUPCTRE), and Delta State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (DESOPADEC), to maintain status quo in relation to their suit before the court.
Justice Babatunde Adejumo, who gave the resolution said all parties should maintain status quo.
When a court orders parties to maintain status quo, it means an order of injunction.
It means the parties to the suit are restrained from committing any act which may bring change in the position, nature and character of the parties or of things in the suit.
The judge held that the order will be subsisting pending the hearing and determination of the matter before the court.
Adejumo gave the resolution after the submissions of Aduojo Abah, in the originating process he filed on behalf of AUPCTRE whose union members are staff of DESOPADEC.
The judge also ordered the transfer of the case to Yenegoa Division of the court for continuation of trial
AUPCTRE, the claimant, in the originating process prayed the court to declare that the refusal of the defendant to address issues of workers welfare constitute unfair labour practice.
Abah alleged that AUPCTRE- DESOPADEC branch through several attempts had made efforts to have meetings with the defendant, but the defendant never honoured any of the invitations.
He said one of the relief the claimant is seeking for their members is an order compelling the defendant to pay arrears of 30% of salaries they have been owing them from July, 2009 till date.
The counsel also said another of the union demand for their members is payment of their End-of- Year allowance for two years.
According to Abah, the claimant is also seeking an order compelling the defendant to implement the medical package as stipulated in the Staff Conditions of Service.
Abah also said the claimant is seeking an order of the court to compel the defendant to set aside the queries and suspension issued to members as a result of their union activities.
He said the union is demanding promotion for members who are due for promotion in line with the provision of the defendant Staff Conditions of Service.
