Oil workers at loggerhead with ExxonMobil

… Shuts down operations

Nigerian oil workers under the umbrella of Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), on Wednesday, shut down activities at the ExxonMobil headquarters in Lagos.

The Daily Times gathered that the strike action was over irreconcilable differences between the management of the oil company and the union.

The striking oil workers led by National President of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), Olabode Johnson, as early as 7 am, prevented workers including visitors from entering the company premises.

The workers were said to be angered over failure of ExxonMobil’s management to honour the agreement reached with the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu and the labour union last year to reinstate 10 out of the 83 sacked workers as well as review the status of the remaining 73 workers.

The workers also complained about the current conditions of employment in the oil company where most jobs meant for Nigerians are now being given to foreigners.

The union said the picketing of the oil company would continue, and if by Friday this week, ExxonMobil’s management fails to call for negotiation, it would cascade its operations nationwide which include withdrawing its members from all exploration and production activities.