Oluyinka Onigbinde
The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has threatened to embark on a three days warning strike if the management of port concessionaire; AP Moller Terminal (APMT) refused to conclude negotiations on the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) for its employees who are members of the union, by tomorrow (Thursday 21st of July 2022).
The MWUN in a letter addressed to the Managing Director of the Nigerian Port Authority (NPA); Mohammed Bello Koko, lamented the refusal of the APMT management to conclude CBA negotiation with the union.
The union lamented that in spite of its efforts to bring negotiations to closure following four meetings with the APMT management, and added that negotiations have ended inconclusive due to the recalcitrant posture of APMT management.
It explained that having exhausted all available means of negotiation, it initially issued APMT management, a seven-day ultimatum which has since elapsed. The union said an extension of another three days is given for the APMT management to comply; it might not be able to pacify its members who are already agitated.
“We are constrained to report to you Sir, the persistent refusal of the APMT management to conclude Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiation with the union – Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, in spite of concerted efforts to bring negotiations to closure”, it stated in the letter to the NPA boss.
The MWUN added that: “We want to say that Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has held over four meetings with APMT Management, all of which ended inconclusive due to the recalcitrant posture of APMT management.
“Having exhausted all available means of negotiation, the union initially issued APMT management, a seven-day ultimatum which has since elapsed. We want to say further sir, that Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, being an organisation that believes in due process has extended the strike notice by another three days effective from 18″ July 2022 to 6pm Thursday 21″, July 2022 to conclude negotiation, otherwise the union might not be able to pacify our members”, it warned.
Similarly, the union, also in a letter addressed to the management of APMT, urged the terminal operator to comply within the three days of extension.
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It however warned that, in the event of refusal to conclude negotiation at the expiration of the extended three days’ notice, the union will embark on a three days warning strike without further recourse to the management.
“I am directed to remind you that the seven (7) days’ notice effective 23 June 2022 which was issued to your management within which to conclude negotiations for your employees; our members, Collective Bargaining Agreement expired at 6pm 29” June, 2022.
“I am further directed to inform you that in compliance with the norm of industrial engagements, the Seven (7) Days’ notice has been extended by another Three (3) days effective from July 18° 2022 to 6pm 21° July 2022.
“Please be informed that Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria shall in the event of your refusal to conclude negotiation at the expiration of the extended three (3) day notice, embark on a three (3) day warning strike without further recourse to your management” , the union stressed.
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