By Godwin Oritse
THE management of A .P.Moller terminal and its workers are currently at each other’s throat over workers adherence to the Federal Government restriction during and after the ongoing elections.

While the management of the terminal is trying to compel some  workers to report for duty during election periods, the workers are decrying the threat of being sanctioned by the management if they failed to report for duty.

Already, the management has issued  warning letters to  some of the affected workers who failed to report for duty last Saturday while the National Assembly elections were on going.

The warning letter which was issued to about 180 workers who choose to exercise their civic right were told that  severe sanctions will be taken against them should a similar incident repeat its self.

Operations were nearly stalled at the terminal on Tuesday when workers vehemently opposed the warning letters issued to them as management said that workers will not be paid for that day’s work.

On sensing trouble, the management called for a peace meeting with a view to resolving the problem of workers staying away from work during elections.

In the letter which was obtained by Vanguard , management accused workers of negligence and gross disregard for duty.

Parts of the letter reads “Further to your absence on the 8th of April 2011 night duty, despite calls and advice from your Shift manager to you to resume night work as normal, and in which you did not adhere to thereby absenting yourself from duty.

“Management hereby issues you this warning for negligence and gross disregard of duty and also advices that you will not be paid for that day, as this case is deemed to be an act of wilful absenteeism and a serious offence against the company.

“This letter therefore seek to serve as a warning to you as part of the corrective disciplinary precedure and demands a decent and civilized conduct from you in your commitment to work, as any future occurrence will attract severe disciplinary action including termination of your appointment”.

The letter which was signed by the Acting Head of Human resources Mrs Teni Araba also stated that  the warning letters will remain in their file for reference purpose while its effect on benefit i e staff loan and recommendation for training will be active for a period of one year.

A P M terminal spokesman Mr Bolaji Akinola told Vanguard that the matter has been resolved adding that there was no cause for alarm.

It will be recalled that dockers and terminal operators are still embroiled in war of increased wages and entitlements.