[size=14pt]Oil Workers Divided over Strike[/size]
06 Jan 2012


Oil drilling operation

By Linda Eroke

Attempt by the Federal Government to break the ranks of labour is beginning to yield positive results as some industrial unions are already considering backing out of the planned nationwide strike action which is scheduled to commence January 9.

THISDAY gathered that the two unions in the oil sector-the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) are yet to take decision on whether or not to participate in the strike action called by the two labour centres in the country.

Unlike in the past when the NLC issues strike notice to its affiliates, the affiliates are expected to communicate to all its units across the country within 24 hours. But as at last night, the secretariat of NUPENG was yet to direct its members across the country to mobilise for strike. THISDAY leant that the President of NUPENG, Comrade Igwe Achese, who is currently on Pilgrimage in Israel has directed the General Secretary to suspend the strike until further notice.

This may not be unconnected with the fact that the two unions are under pressure from the Federal Government not to join in the planned strike action going by the impact it would have on the oil sector.

Also, the National Executive Council (NEC) of PENGASSAN could not reach a compromise on the planned strike action as at press time. The meeting which was chaired by the union President, Comrade Babatunde Ogun, could not agree on strike even though a communiqué endorsing the strike action was read to journalist at the President’s office by 6p.m. Thursday.

THISDAY gathered that the Council, which is the highest decision making body of PENSGASSAN was divided into two groups with one group supporting the planned mass action and the other group disposed to labour’s decision on strike.

The group that was opposed to strike had argued that there was no imperative for strike given the fact that government has met some of the conditions given to it by the oil union. It further argued that there was no reason to join in the strike citing instances where labour issues strike notice only to suspend it at the eleventh hour.

However, the union boss announced that the NEC has endorsed fully the position taken by the NLC and TUC to embark on strike Monday next week noting that the NEC has directed all branches to commence an indefinite strike from Monday, January 9, 2012. However, he said only the leadership of PENGASSAN can direct the suspension/call off the strike.

Ogun, who faulted the palliatives put in place by government to cushion the effects of subsidy removal on the masses argued that the palliatives cannot meet the yearnings of the masses.

Ogun said the NEC has also rejected the Alfa Belgore led Committee set up by President Goodluck Jonathan to negotiate with labour insisting that PENGASSAN will only negotiate with the government team led by President Goodluck Jonathan which is required to itemise with timeline any project to be done which must include but not limited to revamping of existing refineries,bulding of greeenfield refineries among others.

He further urged government at all levels to first exhibit the spirit of sacrifice by reducing drastically the cost of governance and cutting the recurrent expenditure in the 2012 budget from 70 percent to not more than 50 percent stressing that the savings be directed to infrastructural development.

Meanwhile, NLC has faulted the statement credited to the Federal Government that that it is importing 1,600 buses into the country next week to cushion the effects of the hike in the price of petrol on the citizenry.

The Congress also denied reports that the leadership of the labour movement held a closed door meeting with some government officials on issue of fuel subsidy describing as mischievous and part of government’s strategy to stop the protest. It maintained that labour leaders are busy mobilizing for indefinite strike action and does not have the time for “frivolous, unsustainable and unproductive dialogue with the presidency or any of its committees.

The Congress, in a statement issued by its Acting General Secretary, Comrade Owei Lakemfa said the claim by government that it was importing 1,600 buses into the country was false stressing that the buses in question belong to TUC. The Congress said the decision by government was an afterthought arguing that the Presidency should have put the measures in place before coming out with the policy decision.

The Congress further denied reports making round in the media that some oil marketers were funding the general strike and mass protests against subsidy removal alleging that the reports were part of the efforts by the Presidency to divert attention from the mass protests.

“We wish to state categorically that no oil marketer or any individual can fund a protest of the working people.  The negative impact of the increase in petrol prices is there to see; astronomical rise in the cost of transportation, school fees, medical bills, food and services.  The Nigerian people, unlike those in government are independent minded and cannot be bought by any group be they marketers, the IMF or World Bank.”

The Presidency yesterday announced that it is importing 1,600 buses to cushion the effects of its inhuman hike in the price of petrol.  First, we think it is a false claim as the buses in question refer to those being imported by Trade Union Congress (TUC).

“Secondly, the announcement is laughable because if divided by the 774 Local Governments in the country, it amounts to 2 buses per Local Government.  Thirdly, one would have thought that the Presidency would put these “cushioning effects” in place before the unreasonable hike in petrol price

“The NLC advises the Jonathan administration to wake up to the reality that Nigerians are resolved to resist its punitive policies and are determined to reclaim their country from those who are intent on bringing it down,” Congress stated. In a related development, the Road Transport Employers’ Association of Nigeria (RTAN) has dissociated itself from the planned mass protest by labour movement and has directed members across the country to ignore the call for mass protests by labour.

The group, in a statement signed by its National President, Dr. Olufemi Ajewole pledged support and commitment to the ideals of the transformation agenda of the present administration.

“We state categorically that we are not against the current deregulation of the downstream petroleum sector as the envisaged benefits to all Nigerians promises enormous economic prosperity and massive infrastructural development. We have implicit trust in the credentials of eminent Nigerians appointed into the Board to manage and administer the proceeds from the Subsidy removal from PMS.

“This bold policy initiative by Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan will not only lunch us into the enviable most developed 20 largest economics by the year 2020 but will drastically reduced the hydra-headed corruption monster in the oil and gas industry. We are hopeful that this step will also yield massive employment for our teaming unemployed youth; create a pool of fund for direct intervention in road construction, rehabilitation, steady power supply, revamping of the decaying education system, upgrading of primary and tertiary health facilities, procurement of modern agricultural facilities, among others.

“In view of our avowed commitment to the success of the Transformation Agenda of this administration, our Association is organising a one-day Pro-Subsidy Rally to show solidarity and support for the bold initiative taken by federal government which is long overdue,” the group stated.

However, several affiliate unions have issued directives to members across the country to mobilise for an indefinite strike action next week. The industrial unions include maritime workers union, Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Association of Senior Staff of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions (ASSBIFI).

http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/oil-workers-divided-over-strike/106553/http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/oil-workers-divided-over-strike/106553/http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/oil-workers-divided-over-strike/106553/http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/oil-workers-divided-over-strike/106553/

If the govt can keep the ports open, oil flowing and electricity plants operating, then the strike would have been defeated.
Soldiers should be taking over all PHCN installations over the weekend, if history is a judge.

Any strike without PENGASSAN and NUPENG is a strike against the masses and not against the government.

You guys are just pathetic, why not wait till monday and see??

Hmmm monday will tell.

Propaganda. I am a member and I know we are joining in on the strike.

Well said RTAN. Way to go! It's refreshing to see unions who understand what is at stake here and are ready to support a beneficial program as opposed to handouts. If the transporters roll out their vehicles, private employees will surely make it to their offices. Labour has committed a tactical blunder with this untoward strike actions they are calling. It will fail flat.

dustydee:

Propaganda. I am a member and I know we are joining in on the strike.

Thank God u are just a member and not PENGASSEN or NUPENG as a whole

I am a member of PENGASSAN, and close to my branch Chairman and Secretary, both of whom have confirmed that although there is no drective yet from National Secretariat, it is vey likely that we join.

In any case, whether there is directive or not, boys are ready to taatan for this strike. I will personally mobilize and lead the revolt against the leadership if they compromise on this one.

Babatunde Ogun is a stooge who is being manipulated by Oil company mgt to break the unity of PENGASSAN. All the policies being introduced since he got into office are designed to provoke individual chapters into rebellion and thus break the union and play into mgt's hands. Imagine him and a couple of others sitting down and saying they increased union dues from only 0.75% of basic salary to 2% of basic salary and 5%of every other allowance. To quantify, he wants to increase yearly dues from an average of about N100,000 to N700,000 per member even when there is no reporting on how they spend the current dues. Also, he knows that such a decision can only be taken at a full delegates conference but still went ahead in his bid to break the union. Anyways, my company chapter have told him we don't agree to such nonsense and will pull out of PENGASSAN if need be.

Members will join the strike whatever Ogun says. Only thing is that I don't think production will be shut-in and that is not customary during strikes. It is a weapon of the very last resort if all else fails. There are a couple of reasons why you wouldn't want to shut-in but I won't go into that now.

The One:

Babatunde Ogun is a stooge who is being manipulated by Oil company mgt to break the unity of PENGASSAN. All the policies being introduced since he got into office are designed to provoke individual chapters into rebellion and thus break the union and play into mgt's hands. Imagine him and a couple of others sitting down and saying they increased union dues from only 0.75% of basic salary to 2% of basic salary and 5%of every other allowance. To quantify, he wants to increase yearly dues from an average of about N100,000 to N700,000 per member even when there is no reporting on how they spend the current dues. Also, he knows that such a decision can only be taken at a full delegates conference but still went ahead in his bid to break the union. Anyways, my company chapter have told him we don't agree to such nonsense and will pull out of PENGASSAN if need be.

Members will join the strike whatever Ogun says. Only thing is that I don't think production will be shut-in and that is not customary during strikes. It is a weapon of the very last resort if all else fails. There are a couple of reasons why you wouldn't want to shut-in but I won't go into that now.

Na so o. This leadership appears to have been infiltrated. I think I also need to start active participation in PENGASSAN activities, starting with contesting a position in my chapter in the next elections. The Secretary sits besides me here and he still insists they've not gotten communication from National Secretariat on way to go. We have already told them here that whether they send official commuincation or not, we are joining.

HA HA HA  ,

Lets wait till moday  and see what will happen, instead of qouting unreliable THISDAY NEWSPAPER.