Fuel crisis looms as NUPENG directs members to commence strike

Fuel crisis looms as members of  Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) are to commence begin an indefinite strike in Akwa Ibom State on Monday(today).

The strike is in protest against the alleged plans by the management of Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited to extinct members from its workforce.

The oil workers' union claimed in a statement that  contract staff of Mobil had been systematically separated and replaced with new contracts.

The union, in a statement by its General Secretary, Isaac Aberare,  said the action of the oil major negates the collective bargaining agreement signed with the union.

The oil workers also  warned management against plans to disengage 80 per cent of the contract workers and replace them with that of service providers by the end of September.

NUPENG described the action of Mobil management as  unfair, crude, barbaric and wicked, vowing to resist such attempt.

Abarere said in the statement, 'We find this plan unacceptable, unjustifiable, unfair, crude, barbaric and wicked and will be resisted by the union, after our members have helped to contribute their quota over the years to the growth of the company. These employees use Mobil tools, equipment, machinery and vehicles to carry out their daily routine, yet they are denied the benefits as stipulated in the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

'It is sad to note that Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited has refused to give mandate to their labour contractors to have Joint Consultative Council (JCC) meeting which is held quarterly and wage re-opener which was due since June, 2013 and charter of demand submitted by March, 2013.

'NUPENG has written severally to the management of Mobil but all entreaties and call for social dialogue to resolve the issues were rebuffed and ignored by the oil company. The union cannot watch and see its members been sacked indiscriminately, as it will lead to a bad precedent in the oil and gas industry.'