The union representing office and managerial staff in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector called off its proposed nationwide strike Friday.
The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, or Pengassan, said the decision followed a meeting in Abuja Friday between it and representatives of Mobil Oil Nigeria PLC (MOBIL.LA) over the sacking of Pengassan staff by the oil company.
Senior Nigerian government officials brokered peace between the union and the oil company at the meeting.
Pengassan had last week threatened to begin a nationwide strike after it accused Mobil of sacking 67 of its members, including all branch executive officers and the national treasurer.
A stoppage could paralyze oil and gas production, petroleum supply and distribution in Nigeria as well as exports.
Akin Fatunke, Mobil spokesman, said a renewal program in the company led to the job rationalization and loss of unionized positions, and those at the senior executive levels have been affected by the program.
He said the majority of the 67 employees affected by the renewal program have collected their checks while Mobil would continue to encourage its employees to belong to Pengassan.
In a statement signed by Peter Esele, Pengassan president, and Udom Unoya, executive director of Mobil Producing Nigeria Ltd., the parties agreed to withdraw from the court all suits relating to the issues in dispute.
Hassan Lawal, Nigeria’s Labor Minister, commended both parties for “exhibiting unprecedented maturity and understanding” during the talks to end the dispute.
Lawal said “if this fight had been allowed to continue beyond today (Friday) it is the ordinary Nigerian who is always at the receiving end that would have suffered. Everybody is happy with the outcome.”