NUPENG Suspends Planned Strike

The planned strike by the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has been suspended weeks after issuing an ultimatum to the federal government over issues including non-payment of workers’ salaries and title benefits.

Williams Akporeha, NUPENG president, and Afolabi Olawale, general secretary of the union confirmed the suspension in a statement released on Thursday December 2.

According to the union, the decision was taken following a commitment obtained from the federal government.

The statement read;

“NNPC’s management has once again proven to the union and the nation that it can be trusted in matters of ensuring decency of employment and peaceful industrial relations in the Nigerian oil and gas industry.''

The union said an agreement was reached on some of the issues that instigated the planned strike.

“Some of the resolutions from these engagements include commencement of the processes to clear all backlogs of arrears of salaries and allowances owed contract workers of Oil Mining Licence 42 before the end of December.

“The agreement and firm commitment to pay N2.13 million to each of the former employees of the big six contractors whose terminal benefits were short-paid in 2012 following the closure of the contract.”