NUPENG to embark on nationwide strike if Federal Govt privatised refineries

The Chairman, South-West Chapter, Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Mr Tokunbo Korodo on Thursday said that the union would still go on strike if Federal Government privatised refineries.

NAN reports that NUPENG and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) on Dec. 31 shelved planned nationwide strike over the government’s plan to privatise its four refineries.

The strike was scheduled to begin on Jan.1

Korodo told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that it was improper for the government to privatise the refineries without consulting stakeholders in oil and gas.

“It is ridiculous that the Federal Government did not deem it fit to deliberate with our union before it went on air to announce a plan to privatise refineries.

“When it privatises the four refineries, most of the workers will be thrown into the labour market again.

“The government has not negotiated with the workers on their severance package or what the future will hold for them,” he said.

The chairman said that the union had yet to schedule a date for discussions with government officials on the issue.

He gave the assurance that NUPENG would not go on strike until it met with government representatives.

Korodo, however, said that the union had already informed members nationwide to proceed on strike if the government began the process of the privatisation.

According to him, the government will begin the process of the privatisation in the first quarter of 2014.

NAN reports that NUPENG and PENGASSAN had on Dec. 17 threatened to embark on strike in January over Federal Government’s decision to privatise the refineries.
 

Strike is now the only means of communication/negotiation in Nigeria, this is shameful! 

Government should not wait for Unions/agencies to embark on strike before consulting and meeting their needs. Likewise unions should not cheaply embark on strike action every time!