MWUN Issues 21-Day Ultimatum To Sea Transport Manning Services Over Expired CBA
MWUN Issues 21-Day Ultimatum To Sea Transport Manning Services Over Expired CBA
MWUN President General,Comrade Francis Bunu Abi
By Frank Odinukaeze
The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has issued a 21-day ultimatum to Sea Transport Manning Services Ltd, demanding the immediate negotiation and signing of a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) for its members, following a protracted delay by the company.
In a press release signed by Comrade John Kennedy Ikemefuna, Head of Media for the Union, MWUN stated that the previous CBA expired in 2023, leaving seafarers employed by Sea Transport Manning Services Ltd without a renewed framework for wages and working conditions for over two years.
The union, led by Comrade Francis Bunu Abi, accused the management of Sea Transport Manning Services Ltd of deliberately stalling negotiations through “stonewalling and tactical delay hurdles.” The Union expressed frustration over what it described as negative antics by the company to stagnate the salaries and career progression of its members.
Despite multiple attempts by MWUN to engage the company in meaningful dialogue, the union claims its efforts have been met with resistance, forcing it to escalate the issue.
“As a Union with the mandate to protect the interest of its members, we are compelled to explore all legal means to address this injustice,” the statement read. “We have maintained industrial peace for over two years, but our patience is wearing thin.”
MWUN is also drawing the attention of key maritime regulatory bodies and stakeholders — including the Federal Government, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), and the Ministry of Marine & Blue Economy — to the impasse.
The union warned that failure by Sea Transport Manning Services Ltd to engage in meaningful negotiations within the 21-day period may prompt further action, although it did not specify what those actions might be.
MWUN has urged its members to remain calm but resolute as the ultimatum period begins, emphasizing its commitment to protecting the rights and welfare of maritime workers across the country.
