The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has threatened to resume its suspended nationwide strike from October 30.
The president-general of the union, Adewale Adeyanju, disclosed this on Wednesday in a statement through the union’s head of media, John Kennedy Ikemefuna.
Recall that the nationwide strike, initially scheduled for June 5, was suspended following the intervention by the immediate past minister of transportation, Muazu Sambo.
Mr Adeyanju, however, said that the resumption of the strike became necessary due to the failure of the representatives of the shipping companies to negotiate a minimum standard condition of service for the sector.
He said, “A technical committee comprising the union and shipping employers was also inaugurated by the minister to harmonise the union’s demands.
“After three meetings held, they could not resolve the protracted Minimum Standard Condition of Service issue with the union.
“It is worthy of note also that when a truce was almost in sight, the representatives of the shipping employers at the negotiation table began to develop a lackadaisical attitude toward the entire exercise.
“This gave them away as lacking the mandate to make decisions; their cold feet on the matter subsequently led to the collapse of the negotiation,” he added.
He, therefore, stated that “The other three branches of the union, namely: Nigerian Ports Authority, dockworkers, and seafarers will join their colleagues in the strike action in solidarity.”
He added that the nationwide mass action will be embarked upon at the nation’s port formations after the expiration of the renewed seven-day ultimatum issued.
