The Private Telecommunications and Communications Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PTECSSAN) said it called off its planned strike action scheduled to begin today following a deal negotiated by the union.
This comes after the union reached agreements with the subcontractors linked to Huawei Technologies Nigeria Ltd, the local unit of Chinese technology company, Huawei.
The Dispute:
PTECSSAN had threatened an indefinite strike against five subcontractors linked to Huawei Technologies Nigeria Ltd.: Reime Group, Allstream Energy Solutions Ltd., Uppercrest Ltd., Tyllium Nigeria Ltd., and Specific Tools and Techniques Ltd. The union members, primarily field engineers, accused the subcontractors of unfair labour practices.
PTECSSAN alleged that the subcontractors refused to recognise their members’ right to unionise and refused to negotiate workers’ welfare with the union.
The union claimed its members were subjected to long work hours, inadequate security, and a lack of proper healthcare benefits.
PTECSSAN accused the subcontractors of failing to provide proper pensions, health insurance, and life insurance as mandated by Nigerian law.
The Resolution:
Meanwhile, PTECSSAN said it has successfully negotiated a deal with the subcontractors that addressed some of their key concerns to avert the planned strike action.
“PTECSSAN threatened an industrial action effective April 4, 2024 against the undersigned subcontractors to address concerns of her members,” according to a statement issued Wednesday and signed by Comrade Okonu Abdullahi.
“This,” PTECSSAN said, “led to a meeting at the union’s secretariat and the following agreements were reached including companies recognising the fundamental rights of the employees to freely associate with the union.”
The union also said “that the companies shall put in place health facilities in accordance with the National Health Insurance Scheme covering the employees, their spouses and four of their dependents, among others.”
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