Improved Condition Of Service:Maritime Workers Union,SSACGOC, Sign CBA Agreement With Lekki Freeport Terminal

Improved Condition Of Service:Maritime Workers Union,SSACGOC, Sign CBA Agreement With Lekki Freeport Terminal
…..as Adeyanju pleads for recall of 2 sacked LFT workers
……. signing of CBA,is starting on a new slate-Cassang, LFT CEO

L- R President SSACGOC,Akin Bodunde,CEO LFT, Christopher Cassank,PG MWUN,Dr Adewale Adeyanju fnli, displaying the signed CBA

By Frank Odinukaeze

The dream of the workers at the Lekki Free Terminal Port LFT, for an improved working conditions,received a boost on Thursday,6 June,2024, when the Maritime Workers Union MWUN,Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government-owned Companies (SSACGOC)
and the management of LFT,signed the Collective Bargaining Agreement CBA,that would usher in a new dawn for both the workers and the LFT management.

The process which took almost nine months to actualise , would see the condition of service of the workers improved,as the CBA gave 30% of total emolument to them.
Speaking at the signing and unveiling of the CBA,at Radisson Hotel, Victoria Island ,Lagos,President General of the Maritime Workers Union,Prince Dr Adewale Adeyanju fnli,while lauding the actualisation of the CBA,after much efforts,frowned at the dismissal of two LFT workers,and pleaded with the management to recall them on humanitarian grounds.

His words,” Let’s start on a clean slate as we sign the CBA today”, adding that having the CBA, is part of discipline.
The MWUN president asked the Lekki management to forgive the sacked workers and recall them as they would have learnt their lessons.
He however said that his request is not a threat nor an ultimatum.
” I am not threatening the management,and am not giving you an ultimatum,but only appealing ,to you to reconsider the sacked workers.As we sign this CBA today,let’s forge a new beginning ” Adeyanju said.
He said since the sacked workers did not steal ,but only had operational error ,they should be forgiven.

A visibly happy Adeyanju called on the workers to take their job seriously and maintain discipline, stressing that the union will not condone any act of indiscipline. While acknowledging the contributions of the former Chief Executive Officer of LFT,Derrick Moos ,who he said, played a major role in the upliftment of the LFT,as he employed over 80% of the port’s workforce from MWUN,and admonished the workers to continue to protect the union’s image.
He advised the workers to take a retrospective look at where they are coming from and where they are now.His words,” Let us protect the name and integrity you have built before you became a worker in LFT. “

He added that ,”what we are about to sign into operation today is Discipline.
” Let Your 7am be 7am” he said.He maintained that the CBA cannot be a perfect document as it would be subjected to review every two years.
He told the LFT management to respect the constitution of Nigeria ,as they respect the laws in their country.
Adeyanju argued that it is “Double punishment for you to suspend a worker without pay ,and on return ,you still punish them by deducting from their pay “.

While noting that the management reserves the right to punish an erring worker, based on the CBA,being signed today,there is also need for the management to explore other options before sacking an employee.
“But at this point in time when a worker commits an offense without hearing, it is not the time to lay off those two professionals that have contributed to the success so far recorded in the terminal. “With the new agreement we are about signing today, I want to appeal to the management on behalf of the two erring workers that they should reverse their sack to suspension because i’m not aware that you sacked our members.

Ibrahim Ohize, President Dockworkers 
“The union will witness their undertaking and commitment so that they don’t misbehave any more because we can’t afford to be losing our members,” Adeyanju submitted.
In his response, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), LFT, Christophe Cassang promised to look at the request of the MWUN PG to reinstate the two sacked workers, promising to review the newly signed Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) to consider their reinstatement. Cassang acknowledged the efforts of the management and workers, which, he said, have led to increased volume at the terminal. He urged the union executives and workers to cooperate with the terminal to achieve mutual benefits. He said , “We are starting to see the result of our good job by the increase in volume. We are working hard to call new lines to come. We are very close to seeing the first one come”. Mr Cassang who looked satisfied with the signing of the CBA,noted that ,“Now, we are in the same vessel, the wave may be rough or tough but as long as we keep the propeller running in the same direction, nothing can stop us.We will continue moving forward.”he assured.

 Human Resources E,LFT,Mrs Ibiso Eteh 

Earlier, Coordinator of the CBA negotiation and Deputy President General of MWUN, Comrade Tonye Harry commended the efforts of all parties involved in the negotiation process, which culminated in the success of the CBA.
He said ,“Today is a very good day for al of us and please let us work by the CBA because it is a working document, and once it is signed, it has become binding on all the workers in LFT,adding that the CBA will impact about 500 workers and that is why it is a people’s CBA, ” he said.
On his Part,the President of SSACGOC, Maritime Branch, Comrade Akin Bodunde, praised Dr Adeyanju for his efforts at making today’s event realisable ,and equally appreciated the management of LFT for signing the CBA with the two maritime unions. He noted that the process leading to today’s event began nine months ago. He urged the workers to reciprocate this good gesture by being more committed and rededicating themselves to their jobs and supporting the port’s development.
He said, “To whom much is given, much is expected. The document may not cover all your aspirations. There is no winner takes all , in negotiation. “You gain some , you lose some. That is why negotiation is always 50/50. I want to assure you that it is not the end but the beginning. In the next few years, we will look into it again” he said . He advised the elated workers to continue to do their best to support the development of the port.
He urged them not to take the law into their hands but always report their grievances to MWUN and SSACGOC.
He assured the management of the union’s unfettered support in achieving their set objectives.
Speaking also General Manager, Government Relations and Security, LFT, Fubara Awanta described the CBA as a people’s CBA, as it offers better opportunities for the staff and the business of LFT.
In the same manner ,
Speaking also at the event, President, Dockworkers branch of MWUN, Comrade Ibrahim Ohize, stated that,”today is a day of reckoning, because of the long journey to this day” he said .
He said before now there was no law guiding the work of the workers, but today,there is law to that effect.
” Let us abide by the law,and avoid over rigidity . Let’s try to be a little bit flexible,” he said.
He said there is the need for workers to remain committed and supportive,adding that, “Our union will not tolerate hooliganism or stealing. We must work together to maintain a harmonious work environment,” he said

In her vote of thanks ,Mrs Ibiso Eteh,Human resources manager, described Dr Adeyanju as a very strong pillar of the LFT.She thanked the MWUN president for his efforts at making the CBA project a reality.She equally praised General Manager, Government Relations and Security,LFT,Fubara Awanta, describing him as a probem solver.Mrs Ibiso showered praises on the Deputy National President ,Tonye Harry for his doggedness and steadfastness in ensuring that the CBA document came out clean.
She said,”We have had our ups and downs,but we have always made things happen “.