NUPENG begins strike in Akwa Ibom today

The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) will today commence indefinite strike in Akwa Ibom State in protest of an alleged plan by Mobil to sack about 80 per cent of its contract staff and members of the oil workers union

In a statement on Sunday, the union said the measure became necessary since all efforts to amicably address the issue had proven abortive.

The statement, signed by NUPENG Secretary General, Isaac Aberare, said the contract staff in the employment of Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited have been 'systematically separated and replaced with new ones with new contracts in a process that negates the Collective Braining Agreement signed with NUPENG.'

Abarare said it was pertinent to note that these new workers use Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited tools, equipment, machinery and vehicles to carry out their daily routine, yet they are denied the benefits as stipulated in the Collective Bargaining Agreement.