Telecoms union suspends planned strike

The Private Telecommunications and Communications Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PTECSSAN, has decided to postpone its scheduled strike that was set to commence on Thursday.

The statement was signed by Okonu Abdullahi, the General Secretary, on Wednesday.

The union has announced the suspension, stating that it is in accordance with the agreements that have been reached with the subcontractors in question.

TopNaija gathered that the union had previously declared their intention to go on an indefinite strike due to unresolved issues with subcontractors associated with Huawei Technologies Nigeria Ltd.

Reime Group, Allstream Energy Solutions Ltd., Uppercrest Ltd., Tyllium Nigeria Ltd., and Specific Tools and Techniques Ltd. were among the sub-contractors involved.

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.”

TopNaija reports that the union is demanding the immediate recognition of employees’ fundamental rights to association, acknowledgment of the union as the negotiating body for workers’ welfare, and proper remittance of membership dues.

The union has called for the formalisation of employment for its members working on Huawei projects, strict adherence to pension and health insurance regulations, and the commencement of talks for a collective bargaining agreement.

The Ministry of Labour and Employment has claimed that despite their attempts to address the concerns through conciliatory meetings, the companies involved have failed to engage constructively. As a result, the ministry has been left with no choice but to resort to industrial action.