In solidarity with its colleagues in the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) who were recently dismissed by Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association, (PENGASSAN), has said it was set to embark on a nationwide strike.
The National Publicity Secretary of PENGASSAN, Zaid Kolawole, on Monday said the joint action was planned under the “NUPENGASSAN” platform to compel Shell’s management to comply with the directive by the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Emeka Wogu, that the sacked workers be reinstated on or before December 4, 2012 (today).
PENGASSAN noted that the strike will hold because the oil giant refused to honour the agreement both parties had during the minister’s mediation. The union also accused Shell of anti-labour practices and interference in union matters.
“As a Union, NUPENG later reacted to the Shell in-house Branch Executive Council’s failure to respond to the given query by setting up its Investigation Committee on the matter to further give room for fair hearing, but the Shell in-house branch executive failed to appear before the Investigation Committee as required.”
“Consequently, the NUPENG National Executive Council decided that the Shell in-house branch executive council be dissolved for undermining union unity and disrespect to constituted authority, thus a caretaker Committee was put in place accordingly.”
“Shell management was accordingly informed of the meeting and decision of the union to that effect, but the Shell management refused to recognize the Caretaker Committee as communicated by the National Secretariat of NUPENG.”
The association has blamed Shell for employing new staff from outside the company to the detriment of its Fire and Safety Department. It alleged that the move was to punish NUPENG officials who were in the Caretaker Committee.
“As Shell management has refused to engage the NUPENG as stated in the ultimatum, NUPENG was left with no choice, but to picket Shell offices and operations last week to press for the recall of the sacked officers and members,” it said.
Meanwhile, Shell has denied all the allegations against its management, maintaining that its actions were not targeted against NUPENG officials.
A statement by the Corporate Media Relations Manager, Tony Okonedo said: “SPDC categorically denies accusations of anti-union policies and targeting NUPENG members in its employment,” Mr. Okonedo said. “The company has no disagreement with NUPENG members in its employment. Allegations of interference and intimidation of union officials made in some media reports against SPDC by some members of the union outside its employment, are false and baseless.”
“SPDC current divestment from a number of its assets in Western Niger Delta was agreed by its joint venture partners and approved by the Federal Government as a part of a portfolio realignment exercise to help to grow indigenous capacity in the oil and gas industry”
“Staff and unions were briefed on the divestment exercise, including the implications for the structure of the business in Western operations, while affected staff are being compensated in line with the company policies.”
Okonedo however added that the matter was before a law court, and that parties involved have been directed to maintain the status quo.
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