Maritime Workers To Resume Strike, Cripple Ports Over Condition Of Service Oct. 30

Piqued by the unsuccessful effort of its representatives to improve the condition of service, the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) says it will resume suspended strike in the shipping sector of the nation’s economy on October 30.

The President-General, Mr Adewale Adeyanju, made this known in a statement signed by Mr. John Kennedy Ikemefuna, Head of Media, MWUN on Wednesday in Lagos.

Adeyanju said the directive was coming on heels of the failure of shipping employer’s representative toward the negotiation of the minimum standard condition of service (NJIC) for the shipping sector.

It would be recalled that the former Minister of Transportation’s intervention necessitated the suspension of the indefinite strike billed for June 5.

“A technical committee comprising of the union and shipping employers was also inaugurated by the minister to harmonise the union’s demands after three meetings held could not resolve the protracted Minimum Standard Condition of Service issue with the union.

“It’s worthy to note also that when truce was almost in sight, the representatives of the shipping employers at the negotiation table began to develop lackadaisical attitude toward the entire exercise.

“This gave them away as lacking the mandate to take decisions; their cold feet on the matter subsequently led to the collapse of the negotiation,” he said.

According to Adeyanju, the shipping branch of the union will commence the suspended indefinite action throughout the nation’s port formations after the expiration of the renewed seven-day ultimatum issued.

“The other three branches of the union, namely: Nigerian Ports Authority, dockworkers, and the seafarers will in solidarity join their colleagues in the strike action,” Adeyanju said. (NAN)