The labour dispute at Radio Bayelsa yesterday resulted in the disruption of operations, as members of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and Radio, Television, Theatre and Arts Workers Union (RATTAWU) protested at the station’s entrance.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports workers had threatened to shut down the station, but government officials intervened.
The station could not broadcast its news and current affairs programme, ‘Hot Sea’, as the guest, Bayelsa State Commandant of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, was locked out of the premises.
NAN learnt the workers urged Governor Seriake Dickson to remove the General Manager, Dr. John Idumange.
The workers organised a fasting and prayer session at the station before the protest.
Reports said the move by Idumange, who was appointed on December 6, to reposition the station, caused disagreement between workers and management.
Following disruption of programmes, government officials, led by Chief of Staff to Bayelsa Governor Mr. Talford Ongolo came to the station to meet workers’ representatives.
The Information commissioner summoned the general manager and union leaders to resolve the dispute.
The workers said since assumption of office on December 6, Idumange had not convened any management meeting.
The general manager dismissed the allegations, accusing the unions of being used to sabotage his efforts to reposition the station.
He told NAN the workers were afraid of certificate verification, insisting there was no going back, as it was authorised by the supervising ministry.
Idumange said anyone who did not participate in the exercise would be declared a ghost worker.
“The exercise is not my brainchild. My predecessor had compiled a list of over 200 workers for redeployment.
“Those who wish to continue working here should participate or risk losing their jobs,’’ he said.
The general manager said the senior officials affected by the reforms used the unions to resist them.
He said the exercise was to ensure employees were placed in the appropriate sections, as well as to fish out those with fake certificates.
Idumange said: “There is nothing like industrial disharmony. This small radio station has 346 workers. Employment and job placement have never followed due process.
“To correct these anomalies, we are beginning a certificate and workers’ verification, which will last four days.
“Most of those with fake certificates are afraid and are creating unrest.”
He went on: “They wrote me to stop the exercise, but the Ministry of Information said it must continue. Ghost workers must be fished out and the payroll cleaned up.
“The station’s wage bill is N35 million monthly and it is not sustainable. My predecessor incurred N40million debt.
“The unions are instigated by the heads of department involved in the illegal recruitment.”
