Strike Looms In Delta Broadcast Station Over Alleged Diversion Of Check-Off Dues, Others

Members of the Radio and Television, Theatre and Art workers union RATTAWU are warming up for a strike action in what they termed diversion of their monthly check off dues to unknown account.

According to a source who claimed anonymity, the state chairman of the union, comrade Charles Enegide had boosted to stop the monthly check- off dues of the Warri chapter from the Accountant General office Asaba following issues which he refused to resolve.

It was gathered that comrade Enegide had earlier suspended the comrade Ikpen led administration for not remitting check off dues for a month but some stakeholders Intervened and the money was remitted and Comrade Ikpen apologized for the delay which was caused by internal issues in the union.

The source also disclosed that representative of the stakeholders visited the state chairman at Asaba and appealed for the lifting of the suspension since the executive had remitted the dues meant for the state and the National but Enegide refused and instead put in place a caretaker committee which the congress rejected.

Following this development, he allegedly vowed to divert the monthly check off dues of the DBS Warri RATTAWU chapter to another account.

The source added that the stakeholders had written to the National to intervene but are yet to do anything about the issue as it was alleged that the National president and the Delta State chairman are close friends.

The members of the union threaten that if nothing is done about the return of the check off dues they will have no other option than to protest the unjust stoppage of the dues meant for the chapter.

Meanwhile the Nigerian union of journalist NUJ DBS Warri chapel and the Rattawu caretaker executive have given the management of DBS Warri a -14 -day ultimatum to put the broadcast station in good working condition or face a possible strike action.

A letter addressed to the General Manager, Delta Broadcasting Service Warri, reads; “Following a critical look at the 21 Days Ultimatum given to management by the executive of both Radio, Television, Theatre and Art Workers Union RATTAWU DB5 Warri Chapter and the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, DBS Warri Chapel on 6th January, 2025, we observed that only a few of our demands have been met and several others unattended to, four months after.

“While we appreciate the effort of management propelled by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Elegbete Moses Odibo in meeting some of our demands, the union observed that management is yet to complete the payment of Christmas bonus, failed to relocate typing pool, fix Air conditioners in offices, repair FM playback machine, replaced microphones in MCR/Radio Studios, relocate the typing pool, repair of utility vehicles, and lighting of the premises.

“Management has also not bought the black magic pro as agreed, procure video camera to Delta State House of Assembly, not fixed the reception Television, toilets and tracking machines as well as damaged roof in Account and Administrative blocks”.