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From Adanna Nnamani and Francis Onyedikachukwu, Abuja
Management of Abuja Continental Hotel has denied allegations of unfair labour practices and anti-union activities levelled against it by the Hotel and Personal Services Senior Staff Association (HAPSSSA), an affiliate of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), as the union on Monday picketed the hotel over alleged violations of workers’ rights and poor working conditions.
The hotel, in a statemen by its Cluster Director, Human Resources, Niyi Agoro, said it respected workers’ fundamental right to freedom of association and to express legitimate concerns, but rejected claims that it had prevented or attempted to prevent employees from exercising their right to associate.
The management said freedom of association also included the freedom not to associate, stressing that employees should not be compelled, coerced, intimidated or unduly influenced to join any association or trade union.
According to the hotel, the decision by some of its employees not to unionise was an individual choice, adding that workers had expressed satisfaction with its existing welfare structures, open-door communication channels, improved employment conditions and general staff welfare.
It cited timely payment of salaries and benefits, access to training and career development opportunities, as well as investments in HMO coverage and career progression, among measures it said had been introduced to improve employee welfare.
The management also disputed the allegation that it had rebuffed efforts by the union to meet with it, saying the hotel operated an open-door policy and maintained established channels through which employees could raise concerns and have workplace issues addressed.
It said the hotel had internal committees and grievance-resolution mechanisms designed to facilitate constructive engagement between management and employees.
“Over the years, Management has continued to review and enhance employee welfare and working conditions, including investments in HMO coverage, training and development, career progression, and other employee-focused initiatives,” the statement said.
The hotel said it remained willing to engage with legitimate stakeholders on issues affecting its employees, but cautioned that industrial action that disrupted guest services, obstructed access to the hotel or interfered with employees who wished to work would not serve the interests of workers, guests, management or the wider hospitality industry.
The management’s position followed the picketing of the hotel by the TUC and HAPSSSA, whose members converged on the premises as early as 6am on Monday to demand improved working conditions and the right to unionise and engage in collective bargaining.
The union members attempted to gain access to the hotel premises but were stopped by security personnel, after which they commenced picketing at the entrance and prevented access to the premises.
There was a heavy presence of security personnel, including the police and officials of the Department of State Services (DSS), as the union members maintained their protest.
Speaking with journalists during the protest, TUC General Secretary, Nuhu Toro, said the action became necessary because workers were allegedly being denied their fundamental rights, particularly the right to unionise and engage in collective bargaining.
“Workers are being treated as slaves in Abuja Continental. Their rights have been violated. They are not allowed to exercise their fundamental human rights. And that is why we are here,” Toro said.
According to him, the union had made efforts to resolve the dispute amicably, including writing to the hotel management on August 4 to request a meeting.
He said the management responded that it would not be available for discussions until the end of November because of an ongoing renovation exercise.
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Toro described the response as unacceptable, arguing that workers’ grievances could not be put on hold for several months.
The TUC General Secretary said the union had also shared the correspondence between it and the hotel management with security agencies, including the police and DSS, to demonstrate that efforts had been made to resolve the matter through dialogue.
Toro said the picketing would continue until Friday, when the union would review the situation and determine its next course of action.
He stressed, however, that the TUC remained willing to engage the hotel management in dialogue if it was prepared to negotiate in good faith.
“We will be here this week, from now until Friday. We will review it on Friday. If they are ready to talk, we will talk. We want a peaceful resolution. And that’s what we stand for,” he said.
Toro also dismissed suggestions that the protesters did not represent workers at the hotel, saying the union was confident that employees were willing to join the union.
“The workers are members there. They are resolute. They are ready to join the union. And we will ensure that their rights are guaranteed,” he said.
Also speaking, HAPSSSA National President, Iyeh Adegbe, said the dispute was not limited to the Abuja Continental Hotel, alleging that similar issues existed at the hotel’s Lagos operation.
Responding to a question on why the union was picketing Abuja Continental alone, Adegbe alleged that the hotel had a history of anti-union practices.
“Continental Hotel has a history. Even Continental in Lagos, the same thing that is happening in Abuja is happening in Lagos,” he said.
He also recalled the takeover of Sheraton Hotel by new investors, alleging that workers who previously had union representation were subsequently discouraged from belonging to unions.
According to him, the affected workers had no access to conditions of service and were allegedly denied the right to freely associate.
Adegbe said the unions had made several attempts to engage the hotel management, including writing letters through the relevant affiliate unions, but their efforts allegedly yielded no positive response.
He said the matter was subsequently escalated to the TUC after the affiliate unions were unable to resolve it at their level.
“That was why we escalated to the labour centre, which is the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, and that is why they wrote to us that they don’t have time for any meeting until November,” Adegbe said.
The dispute is expected to continue as the union maintains its planned picketing through Friday, while the hotel management says it remains willing to engage stakeholders but opposes any action that disrupts its operations or affects employees who wish to work.
