The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has distanced itself from the Federal Government’s communiqué, which announced the suspension of its nationwide strike against Ɗangote Refinery, insisting it did not sign the document.
Recall that the union reportedly suspended its industrial action on Wednesday, October 1, after government intervention, but stressed that its concerns over the welfare of more than 800 sacked workers were not fully addressed.
However, appearing on a television programme yesterday, PENGASSAN President, Festus Osifo, explained that the communique presented after the negotiations was not an agreement between the parties.
“If you see that communiqué, we did not sign it. Normally, it is supposed to be signed by three parties. We did not sign because we felt that some things in it were not okay with us”, Osifo said.
He clarified that the communiqué was only a communication by the Minister of Labour and Employment, who acted as chief conciliator in the matter.
Osifo said the core of PENGASSAN’s demand was the reinstatement of the disengaged staff. “The statement that Ɗangote made on workers sabotaging the economy was totally incorrect. If we had allowed that sabotage tag to stand, those 800 people would not be able to secure jobs in the future. That stigma would remain forever. Clearing that was a very big win”, he said.
The union leader dismissed suggestions that PENGASSAN’s fight was about check-off dues, stressing that the priority was ensuring its members could return to work and provide for their families. “Our position is clear: take the people back to the refinery. That is all we asked for”, he insisted.
The strike, which began on Sunday, paralysed parts of the oil and gas industry, with union members barricading the NNPCL headquarters and other regulatory agencies in Abuja while chanting solidarity songs.
The industrial face-off also moved to the courts, whereby the National Industrial Court, sitting in Abuja, issued a seven-day interim injunction restraining PENGASSAN from continuing its strike.
Justice Emmanuel Subilim ruled that continued disruption would cause irreparable damage, and fixed October 13 for the hearing.
Despite the injunction, Osifo warned that the union was ready to resume the strike without notice if Ɗangote failed to honour the resolutions.
