A RESOLUTION REACHED BETWEEN THE BAYELSA STATE GOVERNEMNT AND THE JOINT COUNCIL OF THE NLC AND TUC, AT THE END OF A MEETING HELD ON MONDAY, THE 23RD OF MAY, 2016, IN YENAGOA, BAYELSA STATE.

Following an extensive meeting and deliberation between the government of Bayelsa State and the Leadership of the Joint Council of the NLC and TUC, in consideration of the issues presented, the following resolutions were reached:

1. That, Labour has accepted the position of the state government to pay 50% of monthly salaries to workers effective from February 2016 and expects the Government to effect full payment of workers’ salaries as soon as the allocation from the federal account accruing to the state improves. Labour equally states clearly that the 50% of salaries payable to workers is not a downward review of workers’ salaries. That is to say, that the outstanding 50% shall be paid as soon as the federal allocation to the state improves to complete the monthly salaries of workers.

2. That in line with the ongoing payment of January 2016 salaries to workers, government should facilitate the process of payment of salaries to the outstanding MDAs and Parastatals, including pensioners without further delays.

3. That a monthly meeting should be scheduled between labour and Government, in order to have a joint review of the economic recovery of the state.

4. Inveiw of the state government’s policy on the payment of primary school teachers, labour should commence the process of negotiating with the Government on the way forward.

5. That the Bayelsa State Government should negotiate with banks to suspend deductions arising from loans until the economy of the state improves or otherwise direct payment should be made to workers.

6. No disciplinary action shall be taken against any public servant arising from his or her role(s) either by omission or commission geared towards the prosecution of the suspended industrial action by organized labour.

7. That labour suspends the strike action in the light of strong appeals and interventions from the state government and other well meaning Bayelsans and in accordance with the tenets of Trade Union Negotiations, as well as to pave the way for further negotiations between the state government and organized labour.

8. That organized labour reserves the right to resume strike without prior notice to the State Government, if it fails or renege in any of the terms of this agreement.