Union ready for action against Shipping Line Agencies

Tayo Oladipupo

The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has stated its resolve for a showdown with shipping line agencies over review of welfare of its members.

President General of MWUN, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju stated this at the inaugural Branch Working Committee meeting of the Shipping, Clearing and Forwarding Agencies Branch held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, recently.

Adeyanju who was represented at the meeting by the Union’s National Treasurer, Comrade Uche Igwe Onu affirmed that MWUN would take on the Shippers Association of Nigeria (SAN), over members’ alleged poor remuneration and pension.

His words, “Without doubt, there are some very important issues to be addressed in the branch. Such issues include but are not limited to the meagre take home of our members, paltry pension and so on.

“We shall definitely take on the Shippers Association of Nigeria (SAN) very soon with a view to having an upward review of our members of service to be compatible with the best global standard”,he added.

The branch President, Comrade Ekpenyong O Ekpenyong had lamented that the economic downturn impacted negatively on the sector, reaffirming that “It is making it a herculean task getting some employers on the table to negotiate increase in salaries”.

He added that some of the shipping companies that agreed to increase workers’ salaries were not willing to offer appreciable amount to cushion the adverse effects of the prevailing economic condition of the employees.

Meanwhile, the branch through its General Secretary, Comrade Tanko Danladi disclosed that his branch has been able to unionize over 200 workers of GMT Nigeria Limited, and that dues have been remitted to the union on a monthly basis.

He said that “Indeed, it is pertinent to report that the struggle for Unionization of GMT Nig Ltd has been successfully achieved while over 200 members’ union dues was being remitted to the union monthly”.

Speaking on the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), he stressed that “Despite the unrealistic and unpredictable economic situation in the country, particularly, shipping sector, condition /Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) negotiated by this administration was commendable and shall achieve more, with members’ support,” he stated.