The Private Telecommunications and Communications Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PTECSSAN) has decided to suspend its previously planned strike set to commence on Thursday. This decision comes after the union reached agreements with the subcontractors it had contentious issues with, as outlined in a statement signed by its General Secretary, Okonu Abdullahi, on Wednesday.
The union had initially announced its intention to embark on an indefinite strike starting April 4, 2024, citing unresolved issues with subcontractors associated with Huawei Technologies Nigeria Ltd, namely Reime Group, Allstream Energy Solutions Ltd., Uppercrest Ltd., Tyllium Nigeria Ltd., and Specific Tools and Techniques Ltd.
Among the agreements reached between PTECSSAN and the subcontractors include the recognition of employees’ fundamental rights to association, provision of health facilities in compliance with the National Health Insurance Scheme covering employees and their dependents, among other stipulations.
PTECSSAN’s demands included the immediate recognition of employees’ rights, acknowledgment of the union as the negotiating body for workers’ welfare, proper remittance of membership dues, regularization of employment for union members involved in Huawei projects, compliance with pension and health insurance regulations, and the initiation of negotiations for a collective bargaining agreement.
Despite efforts by the Ministry of Labour and Employment to mediate the concerns through conciliatory meetings, the failure of the companies to engage constructively led the union to consider industrial action as the only viable option. However, with the recent agreements reached, the planned strike has been put on hold.
