COURT ORDERS LA CASERA NOT TO FIRE STAFF.

The management of La Cesera Company Plc, makers of
La Casera soft drink and other consumables, has been
restrained by an apex National Industrial Court (NIC),
Lagos Division, from terminating the employment of its
workers over a certain dispute with the National Union
of Food Beverage, Tobacco Employees (NUFBTE).
DAILY POST recalls that the La Casera Company had
on 15 September, said it could no longer guarantee the
safety of its workers, thereby, shutting down operations
at its Mile 2 Plant on the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway in
Lagos.
Also, the company’s spokesman, Mr Tola Bademosi,
had issued a statement which explained that over 200
demonstrators led by representatives of the National
Union of Food, Beverages and Tobacco Employees
(NUFBTE) invaded the company’s premises on
Saturday and Monday.
According to reports, no fewer than 1,500 workers
comprising 700 regular workers and 800 casuals, had
been allegedly sacked by the soft drink company.
In the same vein, the NIC which gave the order on
September 15, ordered the company, either acting by
itself or its agents, not to temper with the employment
of the staff, pending the hearing of the substantive suit
on October 19, 2015.
The court statement made available to newsmen on
Friday in Lagos, reads in part: “With this ruling, the
action of the management, which through unsigned
notice pasted on the gate of the company at the Amuwo
Odofin Industrial Estate, Mile 2, a day earlier,
(September 14), terminating the employment of its
staff, has been nullified.”
However, Justice Obaseki-Osaghae, ruling on an ex-
parte application dated September 11, 2015, on suit
number NICN/LA/416/2015, brought by NUFBTE
against La Casera Company Plc, after hearing Mr. Sola
Iji, counsel to claimant/applicant (NUFBTE), said: “It is
hereby ordered that an order of interim injunction
restraining the respondent/claimant whether by itself,
its management, staff, directors, members, agents,
proxies or privies from determining or otherwise
terminating by any means, pending motion on notice
filed by the respondent/claimant, will be heard along
with the applicant/defendant’s motion on notice.”
The court ordered all parties to maintain the peace and
take no action that will lead to a breakdown of law and
order.
The court, however, adjourned the case to 19 October
for hearing of the two pending motions.