THERE were "strong indications" that the Maritime Workers of Nigeria (MWUN) would shut down ports nationwide over the reduction of storage fees, reports GAC Hot Port News.
The union has notified authorities, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), the Nigerian Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and terminal operators, of its intention to shut down the ports, if their demands are not met.
The strike would force government through the NPA to address the lingering issue of "Tally Clerks/On-board Security, minimum standard for dockworkers and NPA staff welfare matters, among others", says the Lagos Vanguard daily.
The union attacked the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) plans to reduce storage charges at the nation's seaports.
In a letter to Minister of Transport Idris Umar, the union said it was "alarmed that an institution with or without known legal authority to perform the duties of port regulator could evolve such biased directive targeting terminal operational costs alone with dire consequences on our members"
The union said the reduction of storage charges would hurt dockers and hamper port efficiency, accusing the shippers' group for not consulting with stakeholders.
"The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria feels seriously aggrieved by the consequences of your directive as manifest in the refusal of our employers (ie, Terminal Operators and Stevedoring Contractors) to negotiate the Dockworkers Condition of Service which is due for re-negotiation this year, 2014.
"Our members the Dockworkers have become restive and may resort to self-help action nationwide with effect from Monday 17th November 2014 if the Terminal Operators still refuse to negotiate on the grounds of being incapacitated by the directive.
"While humbly soliciting the Honourable Minister's prompt intervention on this issue, we by copy of this letter to Shippers' Council demand for immediate withdrawal of this biased directive to allow for search for a collective solution to the issue," the union stated.
PORTS
17 December 2014 - 21:53
Risk of national dock strike looms in Nigeria over storage fee cuts
THERE were "strong indications" that the Maritime Workers of Nigeria (MWUN) would shut down ports nationwide over the reduction of storage fees, reports GAC Hot Port News.
PORTS
17 December 2014 - 21:53
Risk of national dock strike looms in Nigeria over storage fee cuts
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