PTECSSAN suspends planned strike amid agreements with subcontractors

The Private Telecommunications and Communications Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PTECSSAN) has suspended its scheduled strike, which was set to commence on Thursday.

In a statement signed on Wednesday by its General Secretary, Okonu Abdullahi, the union stated that the suspension was due to agreements reached with the subcontractors with whom it had difficulties.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the union declared plans to go on indefinite strike on April 2 due to purported unresolved concerns with subcontractors affiliated to Huawei Technologies Nigeria Ltd.

The subcontractors were Reime Group, Allstream Energy Solutions Ltd., Uppercrest Ltd., Tyllium Nigeria Ltd., and Specific Tools and Techniques Ltd.

The union said: “PTECSSAN threatened an industrial action effective April 4, 2024 against the undersigned subcontractors to address concerns of her members.

“This 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.

“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.”

The union’s demands include quick recognition of employees’ fundamental rights to association, acknowledgment of the union as the bargaining body for workers’ welfare, and proper repayment of membership dues.

Furthermore, PTECSSAN advocated for the regularisation of employment for union members working on Huawei projects, compliance with pension and health insurance rules, and the start of collective bargaining procedures.

Furthermore, the union claimed that despite efforts by the Ministry of Labour and Employment to address the concerns through conciliatory discussions, the corporations failed to engage constructively, leaving no choice but to resort to strike action.