The National Industrial Court, Abuja Division, has restrained the Nigeria Civil Service Union (NCSU) from picketing the offices of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), nationwide.
A statement issued by the Director, Communications and Liaison Department, FIRS, Dr. Abdullahi Ahmad, indicated that the court order of interim injunction was given by Justice Olufunke Y. Anuwe in suit number NICN/ ABT/163/2021, instituted by FIRS against the union.
The labour group had threatened to picket the FIRS offices effective from next Monday, July 26, over alleged anti-union polices, especially for declining to deduct check-off dues for the NCSU.
Specifically, the court ordered “the Respondents are restrained from picketing the offices of the applicant on 26th July 2021 or any other day pending the determination of the Motion on Notice.
“They are also restrained from going on strike, as by so doing, the very essence of the substantive suit is defeated. What this translates to in other words is that parties are to maintain the status quo, and are not to do anything that may be detrimental to the interest of the public, pending the determination of the Motion on Notice. The order to maintain status-quo however binds both parties in this suit.”
The court adjourned the case to 15 October this year for hearing.
It would be recalled that federal revenue agency had earlier in the week announced the dissolution of the NCSU FIRS Unit, whose Executive members are senior staff, but purportedly represents the junior staff cadre that is non-existent in the Service.
The FIRS hinged its decision on the fact the NCSU is a junior staff union and therefore no more applicable in the organisation since it no had junior staff in its employment.
