TUC Threatens Strike In Rivers …PENGASSAN May Shut Oil Industry

Cross section of participants during PHCCIMA council meeting, in Port Harcourt, recently. Photo: Prince Obinna Dele

The Rivers chapter of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) says it will commence a 3-day warning strike from May 21 over an alleged attack on its members.
The Vice Chairman of the union in the state, Mr. Clement Onyesom disclosed this in a statement in Port Harcourt yesterday.
He said that security agencies, government and management of Indorama Eleme Petrochemical Company should investigate and prosecute properly those directly involved in the mayhem and violent attack on the members.
Onyesom said that the union would go on strike if the security agencies, government and management of the company failed to investigate, and prosecute those that attacked its members on May 10.
“ Our TUC State Chairman, Comrade Chika Onuegbu, who represented the National President of PENGASSAN, was assaulted, beaten and his personal effects taken away by the assailants.
“TUC Rivers State takes exception to these acts of terror and is determined to ensure that the perpetrators, no matter how highly placed, are brought to book very quickly.
“We, therefore, request that the National Secretariat of PENGASSAN direct all their branches, chapters, units and members in Rivers State to comply 100 per cent with the strike notice.”
He said that the 3-day warning strike would commence on Wednesday, May 21, and an indefinite strike would commence on Monday, June 17, 2014, if their demands were not met.