By Emma Amaize

WARRI—THE Nation al Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has suspended its strike against the Warri Refinery and Petrochemical Company (WRPC).

The Union had on Monday embarked on strike over what it described as “slave treatment” of its members attached to the transport department of Warri Refinery.

But following the timely intervention of the National President of NUPENG, Comrade Peter Akpatason, and Group Chairman, NNPC GEC, Comrade Richard Otovwievwiere, the union yesterday suspended the strike after reaching agreement to commence negotiation over the matter on November 2, 2009.

At a meeting which was attended by labour contractors, management of WRPC and NUPENG executives, the chairman of the union, Comrade Edmond Ofudje, advised the drivers to give peace a chance to ensure a positive result from the negotiation.

In a communiqué issued at the end of the tripartite reconciliatory meeting between NUPENG, WRPC Driver’s contractors and WRPC management, as observers, the contractors agreed in principle that salary of the workers was grossly inadequate, but added that the constraint to improving it was the three years contract they signed, which has not expired.

According to the communiqué, after consultation with their Principal (WRPC), the contractors agreed to commence formal negotiations with the union on Monday, November 2, 2009, while the union agreed to immediately suspend the strike, pending the outcome of the negotiation.