The Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria has merged 22 viable jetties and 14 catchment areas with over 70 members into two units.
The chairman of the coordinating committee, Tonye Harry, explained that the exercise was guided by the constitution of the union.
He also said that barge operators were also members of the the new union.
“Just three weeks ago, the president-general set up this committee to look into the affairs of the maritime barge operators. Immediately the committee was set up, we swung into action.
“We have had several meetings with the operators within the axis and we have agreed with them that there should be maritime barge operating units,” Harry said.
Noting that the action is in tandem with Rule 2 of MWUN’s constitution, which states that one of the aims and objectives of the union is to secure unionisation of eligible workers within the jurisdictional scope of MWUN as stipulated by the Trade Union Amendment Decree 4 of 1999, he added, “Having recognised this rule, we met with them several times and we have been able to coordinate the operators to say that, for now, 22 jetties within that axis are viable and the catchment areas are about 14. These 14 areas are located between Festac, Apapa, Iddo and Lekki areas, not counting those jetties situated within the port axis.”
The union, according to him, also realised that the operators are about 70 in number, which means that they can be unionised and can, at least, form two units to begin operations.
