NUJ pickets Champion Newspapers over unpaid salaries

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) on Monday picketed the head office of the Champion Newspapers at Ilasamaja, Lagos, over unpaid salaries to journalists.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Champion Newspapers owed its workers 20 months’ salaries.
Mr Deji Elumoye, the Chairman, Lagos council of NUJ, led the union, who picketed the organisation at about 11 a.m.
Workers of the organisation were sent out of the main building by the NUJ members before barricading the main gate.
The union members, who carried placards with various inscriptions such as "Champion management is insensitive to workers' welfare", "Champion management dey fat while workers dey lean" and "Iwunayawu don't allow champion to die," also sang solidarity songs.
Addressing the staff, Elumoye said that the union decided to picket the organisation because the management refused to fulfill the promises it made to the union on the unpaid salaries.
``We have to resort to picketing because Champion’s management is not sincere.
``They reneged on all of their agreements. We even went to the extent of signing an MOU with them.
``After series of meeting and they were not forthcoming, we had to resort to picketing, and now that we have started picketing, there is no going back," he said.
Mr Gbenga Lawal, NUJ Secretary, B Zone, South West, also described the nonpayment of salaries as “dehumanising”, saying the staff should not be allowed to suffer.
``Enough is enough, there is no reason why people should work and not be paid. It is inhuman and we will not support evil.
``We want to start with Champion Newspaper and we will move to other media houses that are not paying.
``Media is supposed to be fair so as to avoid corruption. Owing salaries gives way to corruption," Lawal said.
Mr Ikechi Elenwoke, Chairman, Champion Newspaper chapel of the NUJ, called for modification of structures in the organisation in line with modern technology.
``I think this picketing is long overdue. It was a funny thing, it has not been easy,’’ he said, describing the non-payment of salary as ``mass murder’’.
He said that the organisation owed some of the workers 20 months’ salaries. (NAN)