NUPENG shuts down Total over sacked workers

Reports show that the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has stopped loading activities at all Total Nigeria Limited depots nationwide over termination of workers’ appointment.

According to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), a statement by South-West chairman of the union, Alhaji Tokunbo Korodo, said the management of Total had been resisting the unionisation of workers under its contract programme in Lagos, Kaduna and Koko, Delta State blending plants.

Korodo said the management of Total had moved further to terminate workers who had joined the union in spite of the body’s efforts to resolve the issue amicably.

“In view of this, the union has directed all workers in Total downstream to stop work until the management allows workers to unionise and slave labour introduced are cancelled.

“This action should commence immediately,” he said.

NAN reports that Workers at Total Blending Plant at Kirikiri, Apapa, blocked the gate with two trailers, carrying placards with inscriptions such as “Nigerians enslaving Nigerians in Nigeria, “Total and Jomog want to sack us because we joined NUPENG.”

Also, the Zonal Vice Chairman, South-West Chapter of NUPENG, Mr. Rotimi Benjamin, said that the management of Total had summoned the union to a meeting to resolve the issue, NAN reports.

Benjamin, however, said that the union would not go back on its action until all the issues were resolved.

Source: NAN