Olyinka Onigbinde
The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has threatened to embark on industrial action at the AP Moller Terminal (APMT) over the welfare of dockworkers working at the terminal.
President General of the union, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju in a press statement signed on Tuesday, informed that all negotiations to improve on the condition of service of the dockworkers have ended in a deadlock.
The union alleged that APM Terminal has no welfare package for its workers, stating that the salary of workers is below the industry minimum standard.
The statement reads, which was obtained by our correspondence reads in part: “The leadership of Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria on Wednesday June 22nd 2022 met with the management of APMT Nigeria to discuss the review of the Condition of service (Collective Bargaining) for our members for this fiscal year 2022. This meeting was the fourth 4th in a series of meetings and attempt to resolve the lingering issues raised at negotiation.
“Unfortunately, we are forced to bring to the notice of the general public that after series of meetings, this last one being the 4th, the meeting like the several others ended in a stalemate.
“This is as a result of the refusal of the management of APMT to concede to workers’ demand for appropriate and industry-compliant increase in their salaries across board.
“On this note, a seven (7) day ultimatum was issued, which has since expired.
The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria is aware that APMT Nigeria has overwhelmingly exceeded its projected profits and return on investment and our members have been a critical factor to this achievement.
“We are therefore appalled that your employees (our members) who toil day and night to achieve this height are denied enjoyment of their hard work.
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“The union has long noted that APMT has no iota of regard for the welfare of its employees — Nigeria Workers. This is underscored from the ridiculously low salaries and allowance being offered as negotiation which is far below the industry standard.
“Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria also brings to the notice of the general public, APMT Nigeria management’s penchant to hire foreign personnel in disregard of hiring Nigerians who are eminently qualified to hold and man the responsibilities of these positions.
“Also of note is the disparity in the salary and allowances between foreign personnel and Nigerian employees doing the same job in our nation. As a Union, we are aggrieved at the shabby treatment meted out to our members, and we can no longer tolerate this.
“Consequently, Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria should not be held liable in the event of disruption of industrial peace in the APM Terminal”, the statement added.
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