SSASCGOC Maritime :  Bodunde Says Unionism Must Not Be Perceived As Pressure Group

 Workers of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA)  under the auspices of  Senior Staff Association of Statutory Communications and Government Owned Companies (SSASCGOC), Maritime Branch, has affirmed that unionism must not be perceived as pressure group or opposition party toward achieving better welfare demands for  employers .

 As part of efforts towards achieving peaceful coexistence between management and workers, there is the need for constructive criticism, dialogue and solving drive mechanism , President of SSASCGOC, Maritime Branch,Comrade Akinola Bodunde has disclosed.

Bodunde whose group won the best maritime union/association for the year 2023 at the Association of Maritime Journalists of Nigeria (AMJON) Conference and Awards held recently, noted that the secret behind mutual relationship between management of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) affiliate outfit centred on dialogue.

He said the peaceful coexistence between the SSASCGOC Maritime Branch and management of NPA has resulted to better welfare packages for workers and members of the union.

Bodunde stressed that dialogue with management is continuous , saying  plans are afoot to engage the government in the new year on improved better working packages for members.

The President also commended management of NPA led by the Managing Director Mr. Mohammed Koko Bello for his open door policy with the senior staff union adding that  his administration has been ” pro – labour ” in approach.

According to him, continuous dialogue and robust engagement with management has yielded positive results for a better working condition for workers welfare.

He maintained that priority of members  welfare has been the focal point of his administration since elected as president of the union.

“Welfare is our priority and we have a listening management. We dialogue with management and the Managing Director treat our concerns whenever we knock on his door. But the truth is some issues are beyond him . The federal government is the overall boss in some issues that are above him.

“The Truth is union activities is not opposition party but progressive. We don’t appear to be agitative with management  , we don’t fight with management rather we advice and argue constructively . At the end we resolve the arguments and move on”,the labour leader stated

Similarly,  Comrade Bodunde  said that the group is ready to partner with any organisation or individuals with the sole  aim to promote the maritime industry growth.