|
You would recall that PENGASSAN had in
the past few months alerted the nation
about the anti-labour practices ,victimisation
, unprocedural suspension and sack of
our Union leaders by MoniPulo ,Pressure
Controls Systems Limited and World Oil
Tools. We also reported the matter to
the State Controller Federal Ministry of
Labour and Productivity. We also made
several appeals to the management of
these companies for
the amicable resolution of the issues
which are recognition of the union and
the constitutional rights of the workers
to join a trade union and bargain
collectively as provided by section 40
of the 1999 constitution and Articles 10
of African Charter of Human and Peoples
Rights. Unfortunately rather than
embrace peace and
dialogue, these companies decided to toe
the path of war.
The actions of MoniPulo came to us as a
surprise because the company had
in their letter to the MoniPulo
PENGASSAN Branch Chairmen dated May 26
2009 , titled Re:Meeting of Moni Pulo
Limited PENGASSAN Congress and signed by
Solate Ovundah-Akarolo(Executive
Director) stated as follows that our
members have their individual right to
Join PENGASSAN and that they acknowledge
our membership list and will commence
deduction of Check-off dues with effect
from Aoril 2009 through the June 2009
payroll. Rather than keep their promise,
MoniPulo in the month of June 2009
suspended our Nranch Chairman Comrade
Amonia Briggs. We reported the
matter to the Federal Ministry of Labour.
While discussions were still on -going
at the Federal Ministry of Labour,
MoniPulo went ahead on July 6th 2009 and
terminated the appointment of PENGASSAN
Branch Chairman in the company Comrade
Amonia Briggs even against the ruling of
the Federal Ministry of Labour on the
matter. MoniPulo also went ahead to
intimidate our members in the company
forcing
them to chose between PENGASSAN and
their jobs; as well as accuse the
Federal Ministry
of Labour of siding with PENGASSAN. The
extant labour law is clear on the
process of handling trade dispute and
provocative ,unilateral and unguided
actions are not part of them. As a
corporate citizen, we had thought that
the company would have shown decorum and
maturity in handling the issue rather
than unilateral, irrational and flagrant
disreespect for the laws and constitued
authorities.
Consequent of these unacceptable actions
and condemnable conduct of MoniPulo
Limited,PENGASSAN picketed the company
on Tuesday July 7 2009. Following the
picketing, the management and the
association held a meeting on july 7
2009. See attached the communique that
was agreed by both parties.
Unfortunately, MoniPulo has gone ahead
to sack two more persons and have issued
further threats and intimidation
to the remaining staff. We sent a letter
to the company this afternoon but the
management refused to collect the
letter. We have tried other means of
reaching the management for the amicable
resolution of these new issues and
development but they are adamant and
infact closed their door to all peaceful
processes.
Communiqué issued at the end of
Negotiation meeting held on Tuesday July
7, 2009 in the Moni Pulo Conference Room
between PENGASSAN Port Harcourt Zone and
the Management of Moni Pulo(MPL)
following a picketing of Moni Pulo
premises embarked upon by the
Association on Tuesday July 7, 2009
At the end of exhaustive discussions on
the grievances raised by the Association
against the Management of Moni Pulo for
which a picketing exercise was carried
out by the Port Harcourt Zone of
PENGASSAN, the following agreements were
reached:
1.
Inauguration of the Moni Pulo
Branch Executive Committee will be held
on Thursday July 16, 2009.
2.
The management will henceforth
accord recognition and all necessary
support to the Branch Executive
Committee which includes the
commencement of the check-off dues
deduction/remittance in the July 2009
Payroll and involving the endorsed
list(attached) of PENGASSAN members in
Moni Pulo.
3.
However, the management team will
consult further with the Chairman/CEO on
the retroactive check-off dues deduction
date (with effect from April 2009 )
involving same above list of members
4.
At the July 16 2009 inauguration
ceremony meeting, a proposal for the
Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA)
negotiation will be presented by the
Association accompanied with the
proposed date of commencement to which
management shall respond for the process
to commence.
5.
At the July 16 2009 meeting,
management shall respond on the appeal
by the Association for the immediate
recall of our Branch Chairman Comrade
Amonia Briggs.
6.
It was further agreed that no
member of the Association shall be
victimised, harassed or intimidated for
any action(s) taken in the course of
this picketing exercise. Employees shall
continue to perform their duties
diligently and conscientiously with due
respect to constituted authority.
7.
Accordingly and sequel to the
above understanding, the picketing
exercise is hereby suspended and all our
members are to resume normal duties from
Wednesday July 8 2009.
For PENGASSAN:
For: MPL Management
Comrade T.D.S
Smart-Jack
Miebaka Nabiebu Esq.
Ag. Chairman,PH
Zone
Comrade Nduka,
Obiajulu
Benibo Dagogo-Jack
Secretary, PH Zone
Chief Security Officer
Comrade S.N.
Onyemachi
Daerego Clifford
Asst. Gen Secretary
PH Zone
Comrade Osubu Dennis
MPL Branch Vice
Chairman
|
