SSASCGOC, MWUN sign new CBA with Lekki Free Terminal for workers
...Adeyanju appeals for reabsorption of sacked workers
… SSASCGOC, Maritime boss, Bodunde assures workers of continuous negotiations
“We are working hard to call new lines to come,” – LFT CEO, Christophe. Cassang
Segun Oladipupo
The leadership of the Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government Owned Companies (SSASCGOC) and Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MWUN) on Wednesday, signed a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with 30 percent increase for workers of the Lekki Free Terminal (LFT).
The CBA which commenced in April, 2023, was eventually signed by all parties at a ceremony in Victoria Island where the management of the terminal and the two union leaders officially make the CBA a working document
Speaking, the President General of MWUN, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju admonished the workers to take their jobs seriously saying they should consider their earnings before and where the new agreement is taking them.
He called on the workers to protect the image of the union even as he added that Lekki Free Terminal had come to stay.
On indiscipline, he said, “The union will never harbour indiscipline. We will not support illegality.”
On the sacking of two staff and deduction of salaries of two others for destroying company’s good, he appealed to the management of the terminal to reconsider their stance.
“We appeal the their sack should be changed to suspension. There is need for the management to look into the matter.
For those that their salaries are being deducted, he said, “Stop deducting their money as from today. I appeal that with the new process we are about to start today, have a change of mind so that they can come back to their working place,” he maintained.
On his part, the President of the Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government Owned Companies (SSASCGOC), Maritime Branch, Comrade Akinola Bodunde while appreciating the management of LFT, quipped that the unions abd the company are embarking on a good journey that will end well.
He charged the workers to put in their best into their assignments as new agreement was being signed into working document.
“To whom much is given, much is expected. The document may not cover all your aspirations, negotiation is always 50/50. I want to assure you that it is not the end but the beginning
“We have laid a foundation that we will continue to build on. The workers should do their best to support the development of the port.”
Speaking further, Comrade Bodunde assured the management of the union’s support for the terminal to achieve their objectives.
The Dockworkers Branch President, Comrade Ibrahim Tajudeen Ohize described the ceremony as a day of reckoning saying it is a long journey even as he called on the workers to protect the name of the union.
“Now that you have CBA, you are now being guided by laws,” Ohize educated the workers.
Deputy President General (DPG), MWUN, Tonye Harry admitted that the nine months journey, Was rough as well as smooth saying it took time and energy but expressed happiness that it eventually yielded positive result.
“I want to thank Mr. Cassang because it is a CBA that is friendly and fair.
“As we enjoy the friendliness and fairness, we would not play with our jobs because it was included in the CBA.
“Let us work with the CBA. The CBA is going to impact about 500 workers.”
In his opening speech, Mr. Fubara Awanta, General Manager, Government Relations and Security, LFT, stated that the CBA is a a people’s CBA saying it offers better opportunities for the staff and the business of LFT
He appreciated the union leaders for their understanding and support for the organisation.
In his response, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), LFT, Christopher Cassang promised to look at the content of the newly signed CBA to attend to the request of the PG to reabsorb the two sacked workers as well as the ones whose salaries are being deducted.
“As for.the two request by the PG, they are received and to make.it nice and settle the document we will go through the document, by that everyone will know that the CBA has to be respected
He boasted that the good efforts of the management has yielded results leading to improved volume at the terminal
“We are starting to see the result of our good job by the volume increasing. We are working hard to call new lines to come. We are very close to see the first one to come.”
Mr. Cassang called on the union executives and the workers to cooperate with the terminal to achieve the best for both parties
His words, “Now, we are in the same vessel, the wave may be rough or tough but as long as we keep the propeller running in the same direction, nothing can stop us, it will be.mote or less quick.”
