EMPTY CONTAINERS EVACUATION: Maritime Union Issues 21-Day Ultimatum To Shipping Lines

The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has issued a 21- day ultimatum to shipping companies operating in Nigeria to evacuate all the empty containers littering roads leading to the nation’s seaports.

The union also advised management of the agencies to call for a meeting in a bid for discussions on condition of service of workers under their employ within the same period.

In a statement made available to the press on Wednesday, the union said that the agencies have failed to respond to the earlier letter f 22nd April, 2019, calling for negotiations on workers welfare.

Though the union did not state what would happen if the agencies fail to heed it call but frowned at the way its earlier call for the meeting was treated with disdain.

Shipping agencies were through the letter demanded to evacuate all empty containers that are parked indiscriminately and causing gridlock on ports access roads.

The release stated that “In our letter under proposal was made for a meeting of your association and the union to hold between 10th to 14th June, 2019 with a view to reviewing the over due terminal benefits currently being paid to workers but up till now, you have not found it necessary to dignify us with a response.

“This is not an attitude that encourages cordial industrial relationship. It is rather an indication of the level of contempt at which you hold the union and the little regard you have for workers welfare.

“The terminal benefits (Industry Condition of Service) currently being paid in the shipping industry was negotiated and became effective in the yearc2008, a decade ago.

“Since you have decided to treat our request with levity, I have been directed to issue your association 21 days Notice effective from the date of this letter within which you are expected to convey a meeting with the union for the purpose of reviewing upward the terminal benefits payable to workers at their point of exit.

“We also demand that you evacuate all your empty containers that are parked indiscriminately, causing the gridlock on the access roads to the ports,” it added.