NUPENG threatens nationwide strike on Monday

The National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers has served a notice to embark on a nationwide strike from Monday.

The NUPENG made this known in a statement titled, �Looming Industrial Crisis,� in Warri on Tuesday.

The statement was signed by the Warri Zonal Chairman, Mr. William Akporeha, and the Zonal Assistant General Secretary, Mr. Joseph Ogbebor.

NUPENG said the planned strike was informed by the posture of the management of Chevron/Texaco Nigeria Limited and its contracting firm, Elper Engineering Oilfield Company, to the welfare of its members.

The union alleged that the CTNL and Elper reneged on the agreement with its members on the payment of redundancy benefits and gratuities.

It said, �It will interest you to note that Elper Oilfield Engineering Nigeria Limited, a servicing oil company to CTNL with operations in Funiwa and Escravos areas of Niger Delta, with the connivance of CTNL reneged on a collective bargaining agreement reached with workers five years ago on gratuities and benefits.�

The union accused the management of CTNL and Elper of double standards, adding that the companies implemented the agreement in favour of 10 retired workers in 2005.

It said the American oil firm and its contractor had indicated that they would allow other workers on the verge of retirement to benefit from the scheme.

It added, �For the past two weeks, we have been holding meetings and we are not making headway. Elper Engineering management and Chevron seem to have a mindset that they are not going to implement what is in the CBA.�

The CTNL�s Manager, Communication, Dr., Edith Azinge, said an official who could volunteer information on the matter in her organisation was not available.

Azinge, however, did not redeem her promise to get back to our correspondent �as soon as the official was available for comment�.

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