NUPENG Suspends Planned Industrial Action Over Chevron Workers’ Sack
The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has suspended its planned nationwide industrial action over the sack of 500 of its members by Chevron Nigeria Limited.
NUPENG had Friday morning threatened to create industrial unrest in the oil and gas sector over the sack of its members by Chevron. It issued a seven-day ultimatum to the oil firm and its contractors to recall the sacked workers or they would cause unrest in the oil and gas sector.
President of NUPENG, Williams Akporeha and secretary-general, Afolabi Olawale, in a statement, expressed displeasure over the alleged violation of the agreement reached between Chevron Nigeria Limited and the unions in the industry.
They argued that unions in the oil and gas industry had a protracted negotiation with Chevron over 70 per cent labour manpower reduction, which they (Chevron) claimed was required in view of reductions in their operations in the sector.
“Unfortunately, immediately after the agreement was reached, Chevron started executing the exercise in blatant violation of the agreed terms ostensibly to either put NUPENG in a bad light as troublesome or for extinction because only NUPENG members have been exited from work leaving behind the non-unionised workers and PENGASSAN members.
“From our record, over 500 of NUPENG members are being exited. The intention of Chevron is to change the contract to short-term service contract and we see this as unfair and breach of the agreement reached with us in bad faith,” NUPENG said.
The association, which was spoiling for war with the oil firm, later announced that they have suspended the proposed action following the timely intervention of the management of NNPC, led by the Group Managing Director, Mele Kyari.
It said the NNPC management engaged NUPENG and all concerned stakeholders at two separate meetings to correct the anomalies and ensure that the agreement entered into by the union and the oil firm is respected.
“It is our firm belief that the ongoing talks will meet the yearnings and aspirations of our demands and that of our overstretched and hardworking members in the interest of industrial peace and harmony.
“All our members are directed to step down the red alert message, continue rendering their normal and lawful services to the nation while members of the general public are also enjoined to avoid any panic action or measure as we assure all and sundry of normal supply and distribution of petroleum products across the country,” the union said in a statement.
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