APMT denounces MWUN over unsubstantiated claims

The management of APM Terminals Apapa has lashed out at the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) over what it described as unsubstantiated claims on its operations by the President General of of the Union, Tony Nted.
Spokesman of APM Terminals Apapa, Bolaji Akinola, said that Nted’s claim that the company treats its workers as sub-human and infringes on their rights is not only a wicked lie but is bogus and lacking in substance.
“That statement by Nted has revealed him as one who has lost touch with the system or someone who is deliberately perpetrating mischief against APMT”, Akinola stated.
Akinola, while denouncing the propaganda against the operations of APMT by the Union leader said: “It is unfortunate that Nted has taken it upon himself to want to ruin the reputation of a company that is known to have transformed operation in Nigerian ports. His comment about making the operation of APMT unprofitable in Nigeria has revealed him as someone who is not fighting for the rights of workers but for some other interests”.

Akinola said that contrary to Nted’s claims, operation at the terminal resumed fully on Saturday after about 24 hours of industrial action.
Akinola said: “The industrial action is not because we don’t treat our workers well. It was simply over negotiation of wages. ”
Akinola said that the union, on Thursday night, instructed members at APM Terminals Apapa to engage in a campaign of slow working which effectively led operations at the Terminal to grind to a halt.
“It is understood that this illegal action is in support of an initially requested 150% pay rise for workers.
“The Union had delayed talks for two months; however agreement had been reached on pay rises of up to 25% for some employees despite the current Nigerian rate of inflation being 8.4%. On Friday morning, however, industrial action commenced without prior notice.

“APMT has endeavoured to negotiate annually with its workforce outside the industry based STOAN agreement in order that employees received regular and substantial wage increases, some workers have received increases up to 40% over the past 2 years.
“It is unfortunate that the union has decided to act in this manner. At all times APMT has acted as a reasonable employer. We pay our workers very well because their welfare is paramount to us,” he said.
He said that some employees at APMT are paid up to three million per annum in addition to a range of company paid benefits.

“The terminal is in full operation as we speak and we enjoin all our customers to go ahead with their normal transactions”, Akinola stated.
He said that in terms of safety, the company is the best as has been attested to by various local and international awards it has received.
“Safety is top priority at our terminal. Everyone knows that so Nted’s allegation has no basis at all”, he stated.