MWUN warns dockworkers against strike

President-General, Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Mr. Adewale Adeyanju, has advised the new executives of dockworkers branch of the union to avoid indiscriminate work stoppage in the nation’s seaports.

Adeyanju, who gave this advice, on Monday, in Lagos, explained that it was only the union’s national executives, who could declare strike.

He said that the era of brigandage and illegal activities were over in the nation’s seaports.

The union leader recalled how unruly and violent dockworkers had been prior to the port concession of 2006 and acknowledged that a lot had been done to re-jig the psyche of the present-day dockworkers.

The MWUN president warned that anyone caught in the web of such illegality in the ports would be dealt with, according to the union’s regulations.

Adeyanju, who is also the immediate past president of the branch for eight years said, the road is not as easy as you think, if you stop work because of money, you will see the wrath of the national executive.

“Do not put money first; If you work, money will come; there should be no making of money through illegal means,’’  he said.

Adeyanju warned the new leaders against cheating their members through the crooked method called ‘akube’.

“The era of ‘akube’ is gone, if you do that, I will deal with you. Now, you have the conditions of service,’’ Adeyanju said.

He also recalled that through the open door policy of his administration, conflicts which had the tendencies to spread, were nipped in the bud.

Adeyanju, who reviewed his achievements during his two terms, stated that Collective Bargaining Agreement, was signed with stevedoring companies, port operators and other stakeholders.

He said that the union had been able to engage reputable Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs).

“Comrades, life after retirement must be planned and organised from your active days at work.

“This is why we, as a union, keyed into the Federal Government’s plan on pension.

“Consequently, we negotiated and procured the services of a credible pension fund manager to manage the Retirement Savings Account (RSA) of our members,’’ Adeyanju said.

The executives are: Ibrahim Ohize, President; Hakeem Lawal, Vice President, Lawal Mukaila and Joseph Odemene, emerged Treasurer and Auditor respectively.

Others are: Ida Lawal and Wait Havvy, as Trustees while Bolashade Ogunjobi, emerged as the Women Representative of the branch.

The executives are to oversee the affairs of the branch for the next four years. (NAN)