By Victor AhiumaYoung

PETROLEUM and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association, PENGASSAN, has threatened to confront some indigenous oil companies over perceived anti-labour practices, especially the issue of conditions of service, commonly referred to as collective bargaining agreement, CBA.

Speaking through its Lagos Zone of the Association, Eyam Abeng, among others said, While we applaud the collaboration between the Management and our Branches in ensuring industrial harmony and increased productivity, let us state without mincing words that we will not tolerate or compromise our members’ welfare.

“We have been able to resolve some Industrial Relations issues between management and Branches. Some legacy issues were closed out while many branches have their Collective Bargaining Agreement, CBA, and Wage Reopeners signed and closed out. Many branches witnessed improved welfare conditions.

“Intractable issues, such as the conversion of Sterling Services members to the mainstream of Sterling Oil, were achieved; while the Prime 127 (former Petrobras) redundancy issues and Addax Petroleum IR issues (now Atan Producing) were resolved and closed out.

“Our PENGASSAN Women Commission, PWC, were encouraged and supported for their programmes, especially the Back to School, BTS, Programme. There have been smooth transitions from one leadership to another at various peacefully conducted Branch and Chapter elections in the Zone and we have been able to organize new Branches.

“In all these, it is not yet Uhuru, as we still have more to do in the unionization of some companies such as Seplat, Heritage Oil, NIPCO, Ardova Oil, Folawiyo Oil, Northwest Petroleum and Dangote Refinery, etc. We will continue to improve on our branches’ CBAs and non-collaborative and uncooperative Managements, we will invoke our solidarity toolbox while we are gentle like a dove to cooperating and collaborating Managements.”

He sought “ZEC members’ understanding and cooperation for us to work as a team and hope that all members will continue to give us greater support and solidarity in dealing with any Labour, industry and national issue that may confront us in the future and ensuring strong, united and cohesive Zone in the PENGASSAN body.

According to him, “We are solidly behind the National leadership of PENGASSAN, ably led by our one and only God Sent President, Festus Osifo, who also doubles as the President of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, in ensuring improved welfare and better life for Nigerian workers.

“We believe in the mantra “Injury to one is an injury to all,” and therefore, will stand in defence and promotion of better and improved rights of employment of not only our members but Nigerian workers, including the employable unemployed.”

Vanguard News