COUNTDOWN TO STRIKE AT PORTS BEGINS:

Less than two weeks after signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Nigerian Ports Authourity (NPA), The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) yesterday gave the the agency up till July 30 to meet its demands for payment of the eight months` salary arrears being owed tally clerks and on-board security men.

Less than two weeks after signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Nigerian Ports Authourity (NPA), The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) yesterday gave the the agency up till July 30 to meet its demands for payment of the eight months` salary arrears being owed tally clerks and on-board security men.
Shipping Position Daily recalls that, at a meeting between all the parties in Abuja on Friday July 10, a memorandum of understanding was signed. Those who signed included: Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Labour and Productivity, Dr. Clement Illoh, a representative of Ministry of Transport; H.D Mohammed, National President of the Association of Stevedoring Companies; Bolaji Sunmola, Executive Director of Marine and Operations of NPA; David Omonibeke and President General of MWUN; Comrade Tony Nted Emmanuel.
Our correspondent had also confirmed that the meeting agreed that the the Nigerian Ports Authourity should pay all the arrears of the salaries and wages.
It was also agreed that the Ministry of Transport should on or before 13th July, 2015 write a memo to direct NPA to comply the terms of the MoU.
On the part of the NPA, it was agreed that it should meet with the stevedoring companies and the MWUN on modalities for the payment to be completed by July 30, 2015.
Perhaps sensing that NPA was not willing to comply with the terms of the agreement, President of the MWUN; Comrade Tony Nted said yesterday that the union would call its members out on a strike in all the nation’s seaports by July 30, 2015.
Nted disclosed yesterday that the union had met with the NPA and agreed that their demands be met on or before July 30, 2015.
“We met with the NPA today (Tuesday) and we discussed on the way forward which is meeting our demands.
“We, however, told them that the demands should be met on or before July 30 or we will resort to strike.
“We want to remain optimistic that the NPA will take the necessary steps as discussed,’’ Nted said.
“Our demands still remain the issue of salary arrears being owed the workers and the need for the port access roads to be fixed.
“Other issues like that of the job definition of the cargo surveyors and the Tally Clerks have been discussed too.’’
When contacted on the development, Mr Musa Iliya, an Assistant General Manager, Public Affairs of the NPA, said details of the meeting would be made known in a communiqué.
Shipping Position Daily recalls recalled that members of the union had embarked on strike late in 2014 over similar issues.