Telecom workers threaten strike, to disrupt MTN services

• Union issues 14-day ultimatum which expires February 24

Telecom workers in Nigeria, under the aegis of  Private Telecommunications and Communications Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PTECSSAN) have threatened to strike, and disrupt the services of MTN Nigeria if their demands are not met, citing that MTN has ignored the recommendations of its workers despite FG’s intervention.

This was contained in a statement on Tuesday issued by Mr Opeyemi Tomori, President of the Private Telecommunications and Communications Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PTECSSAN).

The Union said in the statement that MTN has ignored demands of the union, despite the Labour Ministry’s interventions, adding that “It has become inevitable that our union issues this 14-day ultimatum to alert the public of imminent industrial action.

“Also, the disruption of telecoms service it may cause MTN network subscribers, and the adverse effect on their businesses, business partners and associates.

“As daunting as those issues raised back then were, it was the firm belief of our union that the collective bargaining agreement, if negotiated in good faith and signed off by both parties, would go a long way in addressing the concerns of the workers in the organisation.

“Unfortunately, the company has remained adamant, insisting that all the workers’ conditions of service as stated in the company’s policy must remain so and cannot be negotiated.

“This negates the agreement they hitherto signed at the Ministry of Labour to fully negotiate the workers’ condition of service,” the statement added.

According to the Union, the issues are the non-existence of mutually negotiated exit benefits; discriminatory remuneration or benefits; inhumane retirement benefit.

Consequently, they called on MTN’s management to immediately lift the embargo it placed on some workers from membership of the union by communicating to them that they are free to join the union since membership is in the first instance, is voluntary.

PTECSSAN has given Nigeria Telcos a 14-day ultimatum which expires on the 24th of February.