Workers Adamant As Chevron, PENGASSAN Meet Over Strike

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), says its members in Chevron Nigeria Limited will not return to work until their demands are met.

Lagos Zonal Chairman of PENGASSAN, Rev. Folorunso Ogini, told newsmen in Lagos on Thursday that Chevron had not met the standard safety requirements at workplace.

Ogini alleged that the company was abusing fundamental rights of  workers.

“Our members are working in life threatening environment, especially in Warri, Delta State. Wild animals always visit the staff in their offices. The workers live in fear.

“Last year, a very big snake entered one of the offices in Warri due to neglect by Chevron to clear the bush around the premises.

“When we took them up on the rampant visits of snakes and other wild animals to the offices, after several meetings, they promised to look into it.

“But you will not believe that as we speak, the management has done nothing about it.

“Besides, most of the drivers work 19 hours daily and receive N40, 000 monthly, which is very poor,’’ he alleged.

Ogini said that the company had also sacked the sub-contractors who recruited most of his members and re-awarded the contract to other contractors who paid peanuts to staff.

He said that victimisation of workers had become alarming, hence the strike to resolve the issues.

However, Chevron General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs, Mr Femi Odumabo, said that the workers embarked on the strike on Wednesday without prior notice to management.  

Odumabo stated that the workers closed offices at Lekki, Warri and Port Harcourt on July 14, and disclosed that the company had started negotiations with the leadership of the union to resolve all the issues amicably.

He said that relevant government agencies had also been informed about the matter.

According to him, Chevron will continue to take appropriate steps to ensure continued safety and security of its personnel and assets in all areas of operations.

“I have not been briefed about the issues on ground; but I am sure that the management will not allow this strike to go on.

“As l speak with you, both the union and the management are in a closed door meeting to find lasting solutions to the problems,” Odumabo said.

It was learnt that the strike, which entered its second day on Thursday, has disrupted business activities in the three locations.