Nigerian dockers union calls for strike, but response is sporadic

THE Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) have called on members to strike, but the response from dockers appears sporadic with some facilities and terminals at Onne Port, Rivers State, saying separate union deals will leave them unaffected.


The latest development, reports London's Containerisation International, stems from an ultimatum issued by the union to employers for meetings to take place and a resolution found. The previous "dockworkers minimum standard agreement" became due for review in June 2010.


But the employers in the Seaport Terminal Operators Association (STOA) say they cannot re-open the contract or discuss wages increases unless the government allows terminal handling charges to be increased.


Said a STOA spokesman: "We reduced terminal handling charges 30 per cent in 2006 when we took over the various terminals but since then we have not been allowed to adjust for inflation and the erosion of the value of the naira against the US dollar even though the concession agreement gives room for such adjustments."
(Source:http://www.schednet.com)