First Aluminium Denies Union’s Allegations

The management of First Aluminium Nigeria Plc has described the recent retrenchment exercise in the company as part of the efforts to streamline its operations in Port Harcourt, reacting to the allegations by the Steel and Engineering Workers Union of Nigeria (SEWUN) that the exercise does not follow due process. The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the company, Mr Ben Effrink said that the company carried out the exercise to streamline its operations in Port Harcourt and utilise un outsourcing strategy to reduce operational cost inorder to return to profitability.

Mr. Elfrink said that the situation which led to reduction in the workforce in Port Harcourt was needed to allow for future growth.

He said “FAN’S Market share has grown rapidly the previous years. FAN believes that by reducing its cost of operations and because of the increased  brand awareness by customers it will grow faster to surpassing suppliers of lower quality products.”

He noted that the development which was inline with customers demand was to ensure that the company compete more effectively with others in the industry.

According to him, the challenge is for FAN to compete without lowering its on-going commitment to quality.

It would be recalled that the company branch of  the Steel and Engineering Workers Union of Nigeria (SEWUN) had in an interview with The Tide recently described the action of management as illegal since the union  it was not consulted.

The union also give the management a three week ultimatum to recall the sacked workers or face industrial action.

Philip Okparaji