By Onyeanya Ebere Immaculata
The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), has ordered an indefinite strike by its members at Cameron/Onesubsea Offshore Systems Nigeria Limited, effective 12:00 a.m. Tuesday, over alleged anti-labour practices and management’s refusal to engage in genuine negotiations.
The directive, signed by Sere Nwikiabeh, Assistant General Secretary of PENGASSAN’s Port Harcourt Zone, accused the company of frustrating efforts to conclude the 2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
“We have exhausted all avenues of negotiation and dialogue, and it has become clear that management is not willing to engage with us in good faith,” the union stated. “In light of this, we have decided to take decisive action to protect and defend our members’ rights.”
The strike order, issued to the branch chairman and secretary of the Cameron/Onesubsea branch, mandated full compliance until the company meets the union’s demands.
Copies were also sent to PENGASSAN’s national leadership, regulatory agencies, law enforcement, and security operatives.
PENGASSAN described the strike as a last resort after repeated, unsuccessful appeals for fair labour practices.
The union reaffirmed its commitment to defending workers’ rights and improving welfare across Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
The dispute affects Cameron/Onesubsea, a subsidiary of Schlumberger, and underscores ongoing friction between multinational oil service firms and Nigerian unions over wages, welfare, and collective agreements.
As one of the country’s most influential unions, PENGASSAN’s industrial actions often disrupt operations. Analysts warn that unless a quick resolution is reached, the strike could stall offshore projects, affect production timelines, and undermine investor confidence in the sector.
