The Senior Staff Association of Communications Transportation and Corporation (SSACTAC), Maritime branch and the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), NPA branch have asked their members at various ports across the country to embark on an indefinite strike from today.
The notice to stay away from work was issued on Thursday by the national leadership of both bodies.
In a document made available to SHIPS & PORTS DAILY and signed by the two unions, the labour leaders pointed out that the inability of the management of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to accede to their demands necessitated the strike action.
The statement reads in part, “This is to inform employees that the management of NPA has been recalcitrant in its attitude towards the union’s demands for workers so, the leadership of the two house unions has (sic) directed that the only option left is to embark on a nationwide strike.
“Consequently, every employee is hereby advised to stay at home from Monday 18th August 2014 until further notice,” the statement read.
However when contacted on the move of the management of the authority on the proposed strike action, the Assistant General Manager Public Affairs of NPA, Mr. Musa Illiya said he had not seen the strike notice but management had been meeting with the leadership of the two unions with a view to addressing their demands.
“I have not seen the strike notice but I know that the management have met with the leadership of the unions few days ago on their grievances to seek their understanding. The MD clearly explained to the unions that every measures are on ground to make sure that all their demands are met. He just asked for a little time so that all procedures will be met for implementation to commence.
“I want to tell you that we are lucky to have this type of management that is totally committed to the welfare and needs of workers both serving and retired since his assumption of office,” he stated.
Iliya disclosed to SHIPS & PORTS DAILY on phone said the authority had trained over 3000 workers locally and internationally on global best practices in the maritime industry.
“The agency has so far trained over 3000 workers to change their orientation, so all the other issues they tabled are being addressed by the management and the MD has explained to the union on the procedures it had gone through, remaining only implementation.
“The leadership of the unions should give the management little time to complete whatever they want to establish because they are committed to the welfare of all workers both serving and retired,” he said.
Meanwhile, as at press time, the union was locked up in a meeting to decide if to embark on the strike action or not.
“We are going for meeting on this issue and will get back to you after a resolution has been made,” President of the NPA branch of MWUN, Com. Adeleke Sanni told our correspondent on phone.
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