30 September 2013, Lagos – The Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, has warned Petroleum Dealers Association of Nigeria, PEDAN, and the oil marketers to fully implement provisions of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, CBA, and extant labour legislations to avoid industrial unrest.
The union spoke after signing a new CBA for the Petrol Station Workers, PSW, branch of NUPENG with PEDAN in the downstream sector of the oil and gas industry.
NUPENG in a statement by its General Secretary, Isaac Aberare, lamented that the former agreement was haphazardly implemented by some of the members of PEDAN, while many totally refused to implement provisions of the CBA in defiance to extant labour legislations.
The statement read in part: “NUPENG has signed a Collective Bargaining Agreement, (CBA) for the Petrol Station Workers branch (PSW), with the Petroleum Dealers Association of Nigeria (PEDAN) in the downstream sector of the oil and gas industry. The PSW branch of NUPENG comprises pump operators, drivers, mechanics, watchmen, driveway supervisors, supervisors, book-keepers and station managers of petrol stations.
“The Union re-iterates that the former agreement was haphazardly implemented by some of the members of Petroleum Dealers Association of Nigeria, (PEDAN), while many totally refused to implement provisions of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) in defiance to extant labour legislations. The Union calls on Petroleum Dealers Association of Nigeria (PEDAN) and the oil marketers to use its best endeavour to ensure that the agreement is fully complied with to avoid any industrial dispute that can result to crisis in the downstream sector of the oil and gas industry. NUPENG states that there is tension and restiveness among its members, as they are tired of being denied benefits provided in the Collective Bargaining Agreement.”
The statement added that the union expected “prompt positive action in the matter to avoid any confrontation with NUPENG as this will not augur well for their relationship. The agreement which will remain in force for a period of two years was signed on behalf of NUPENG by Comrade Igwe Achese, President, Comrade Isaac O. Aberare, General Secretary, Comrade Roland Abu, PSW branch Chairman and Comrade Abass Adegoke, Branch Secretary.
The Petroleum Dealers Association of Nigeria (PEDAN) officials that signed are Alhaji Kabir Umar, National President, Comrade I. A. Eze, National Secretary-Secretary and Mazi Sweet Asouzu, for the Zonal Vice Presidents.”
– Vanguard
