Companies Get Reprieve As MWUN Suspends Industrial Action By One Month
By Frank Odinukaeze
Shipping Companies may have heaved a sigh of relief as the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) suspend their ongoing strike by one month .
This was made possible following the intervention of the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the the Nigerian Shipper’s Council,Mr Emmanuel Jime , on Monday in Lagos.
According to a document made available to Premium News Daily,and signed by the Secretary of MWUN,Oniha Erazua Odigie, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) mediated on the strike action embarked upon by the Union following a breakdown of negotiations between the Union and the Shipping Connpanies/ Agencies & Freight Forwarders Employers Association (SCAFFEA) on minimum standard of condition of service in the shipping industry.
According to a communique issued at the end of the meeting which took place at the training room of Nigerian Shippers’ Council on Monday 5th June 2023, a tripartite agreement was reached.
MWUN leader, Comrade(Prince) Adewale Adeyanju, Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Mr. Emmanuel Jime and Mr. Ascanio Russo, representing SCAFFEA,all signed the communique.
The communique harped on the need for both parties to be open minded and show commitment for sincere negotiations on the Minimum Standard of Condition of Service in the Industry.
It further stated that all parties agreed to a timeline of one month, starting from Monday, 5 th June, 2023 ,to 4th July 2023,for the completion of negotiations.
The communique also stated that all parties agreed to establish an acceptable Minimum Standards on the Condition of Service in the Shipping Industry especially on gratuity, adding that based on the above, the Maritilne Workers Union agreed to suspend the on-going industrial strike.
