By Onyewuchi Ojinnaka
Senior Correspondent
Consequent upon the failure/refusal of the management of Addax Petroleum Nigeria (APN) to address the burning industrial issues raised by its branch of Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN)within the specific given time, the Association had therefore resolved to withdraw its services indefinitely from the oil company with effect from last Monday April 16, 2018.
In a memo to all members of PENGASSAN Addax branch which was signed by the branch secretary, Elder Comrade (Engr) Gerald U. Agwu, it directed its members to immediately withdraw their services from the company, following the failure of the management of the oil company to address the issues raised in two separate letters to it.
The memo reads: “As a result of a continuous and sustained culture of contempt, disdain and impunity by the HR Function with regards to our several asks for equity and justice in relation to our rights and entitlements, the Association has no other option than to direct a complete withdrawal of services by our members for an indefinite period until the issues raised in our letter of March 12, 2018 and copied to all members are satisfactorily addressed.
“Whilst we realise the implications of taking this drastic step, the Union is left with no other choice as Injury to one is Injury to all. Until we are regarded and treated as the company’s most valuable asset by the HR Function and by extension, the management of Addax Petroleum Nigeria, this battle will continue. Aluta Continua !!”.
Briefing TheNiche on why it is withdrawing its services from the oil company giant, the association through its secretary Mr. Agwu made reference to the letter to the management dated April 16, 2018 which was drawn to the attention of Collin Klappa, Senior Vice President (SIPC) and managing director, Addax Petroleum Nigeria.
In the said letter the association referred to its earlier letter to the management dated March 12, 2018 and another letter by its zonal council dated March 28, 2018 and regretted that the management failed woefully to address the issues raised in both letters within the time frame stipulated in the letters.
The Association expressed its disappointment over the culture of contempt and disdain being exhibited by the HR Function in relation to complaints of ‘patently unfair and selective treatment with regards to the rights and entitlements’ of the branch Association members both individually and collectively as stated in the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between PENGASSAN and Addax Petroleum Nigeria which was expected to be addressed once and for all.
Specifically, PENGASSAN Addax branch resolved to withdraw their services from the oil company based on series of industrial issues which the management failed/refused to address as agreed by both parties within the agreed period.
According to the Association, for over a year, the outstanding compendium of industrial issues had led to a complete polarization of the relationship between the Association and the oil company and had almost led to breakdown of industrial harmony.
Some of the issues raised by the Association that spurred its members to action include the unilateral interpretation of the collective bargaining agreement; victimization, irregular and unwarranted transfer of executive members of the Association, amongst other contending issues.