The leadership of the Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has said that it will not be held liable in the event of disruption of industrial peace at the APM terminal (APMT) in Apapa, Lagos, Nigeria.
The Union in a statement issued by the duo of Comrade Prince Adewale Adeyanju and Comrade F.S. Akingboye, President General and Secretary General respectively and made available to our correspondent recalled that the leadership of the Union and the Management of the APMT had met four times this year, the last one being that which was held on the 22nd of June, 2022 to discuss the review of the conditions of service otherwise known as Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) for her members for the 2022 fiscal year.
“This meeting was the fourth in the series of meetings and attempt to resolve the lingering issues raised at the negotiation. Unfortunately, we are forced to bring to the notice of the general public that after series of meetings, this last one being the fourth, the meeting like several others ended in stalemate. This is as a result of the refusal of the management of APMT to concede to Workers’ demand for appropriate and industry compliant increase in their salaries across board. On this note, a seven day ultimatum was issued which has since expired.
“Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria is aware that APMT Nigeria has overwhelming exceeded its projected profits and return on investment and our members have been a critical Factor to this achievement. We are, therefore, appalled that your employees (our members) who toil day and night to achieve this height are denied enjoyment of their hard work.
“The Union has long noted that APMT has no iota of regard for the welfare of its employees – Nigerian workers. This is underscored from the ridiculously low salaries and allowances being offered as negotiations which is far below the industry standard.
“Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria also brings to the notice of the general public APMT Nigeria management’s penchant to hire foreign personnel in disregard to hiring Nigerians who are eminently qualified to hold and man the responsibilities of these positions.
“Also of note is the disparity in the salaries and allowances between the foreign personnel and the Nigerian employees doing the same job in our nation. As a Union, we are aggrieved at the shabby treatment meted out to our members and we can no longer tolerate this.
“Consequently, the Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria should not be held liable in the event of disruption of industrial peace in the APMT terminal”, the statement said.
Photo: Comrade Prince Adewale Adeyanju, President General, Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria ( MWUN).
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