Court directs Union bank to pay ex-Union Home workers

The National Industrial Court sitting in Lagos has directed Union Bank, the parent body of Union Homes, to pay its ex-workers their benefits.

In a judgement delivered by Hon. Justice S.H. Danjidda, in a suit filed by the bank to stop the TUC from picketing it for failing to pay the ex-staff of Union Homes Savings and Loan Plc, one of its subsidiaries, the court asked the bank to pay the workers or face action by the labour centre.

The case which was commenced by Union Bank in 2021 sought to stop the Congress from picketing or carrying out any other industrial action against the bank, despite refusing to pay the terminal benefits of the about 500 staff of Union Homes which have become due since 2014.

A statement signed by TUC President Comrade Quadri Olaleye, further said the Court dismissed the claims of Union Bank and held that the Congress was legally entitled to carry out picketing and other industrial actions against the bank to demand the fulfillment of its obligations to the TUC members.

In the same vein, the Court agreed with the submission of the Congress’ Attorney, Abdullah Omoloye, and granted the two principal reliefs sought by the TUC in her counter claim.

In essence, the Court affirmed the entitlement of the affected members of the Congress to their terminal benefits and ordered the bank to pay all the outstanding terminal benefits.

“This Judgment is a victory to the affected staff, the Nigerian workers in general and the Nigerian masses. The judgment further demonstrates that the National Industrial court is indeed progressive and hope for the Nigerian workers,” the statement further said.