FG, oil union agree to suspend strike

The Federal Government and the ExxonMobil branch of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) have reached an agreement to end the union’s strike.

This is according to a communique signed by Mr Francis Johnson, PENGASSAN; Falonipe Amos, Ministry of Petroleum; Isa Inuwa, NNPC; and Udom Inoyo, Mobil.

Aggrieved oil workers of ExxonMobil on Monday shut down the company’s corporate head office in Lagos to protest alleged attempts by the company to sack over 100 workers.

In a swift reaction, the company stated that the affected workers would be paid special benefits in line with existing labour agreements.

According to the communique: ”The management action on the union members impacted in the involuntary separation programme is hereby suspended.

”This is pending the submission of the report by the ministerial committee and the determination of the issues arising from the report by the honourable minister.

”It was further agreed that the management is free to implement for non-represented employees and any voluntary cases already signed onto.

”That union members involuntarily impacted by the separation program will remain on Mobil payroll but shall not return to work pending the conclusion of the review of the ministerial committee.”

It went on further to state that ”all unresolved issues related to employment separation and all matters related thereto shall be catalogued by the committee and forwarded to the honourable minister of state for resolution.

”Both parties recognise their obligations under the CBA and there shall be no retribution by either party.

”The strike action embarked upon by PENGASSAN/MPN branch is hereby suspended”.

The suspension of the strike will remain until an eight-member ministerial committee submits its findings.