The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has issued a 21-day ultimatum to Sea Transport Manning Services Ltd over the company’s refusal to sign a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) for its workers.
This was disclosed in a press release by Comrade John Kennedy Ikemefuna, the MWUN Head of Media on 16th April, 2025.
According to the union ,the current CBA expired in 2023, and despite several attempts by the union to negotiate, the company has employed delay tactics and stagnated workers’ salaries, hindering their career progression.
According to comrade Bunu, the union has been patient and appealed to its members to remain calm and resilient, allowing the company to operate unhindered for over two years. However, the union can no longer tolerate the company’s actions and has given Sea Transport Manning Services Ltd 21 days to call for a meeting to resolve the CBA issue by signing a new agreement .
The ultimatum has been copied to relevant stakeholders, including the Federal Government of Nigeria, Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), and the Ministry of Marine & Blue Economy. The union insists that signing a new CBA is necessary to promote industrial peace and harmony and protect the rights of its members .
In the same vein Comrade Bunu, received a courtesy visit from the executives of MWUN, Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO), and National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) at the MWUN Secretariat in Apapa, Lagos.
The visit, which was the first since Comrade Bunu assumed leadership of MWUN, was an opportunity for the Tripartite Haulage body to congratulate him on his election victory and wish him success in his tenure. They also discussed areas of challenges affecting haulage operations across the nation’s seaports and sought Comrade Bunu’s expertise in resolving these issues.
The new PG, a trained Business Administrator and seasoned Maritime Expert, assured the collaboration of his support and promised to strengthen the haulage body for better performance. He also pledged maximum support to Silo Cargo Truck Owners in their operations nationwide.
He has also been vocal about his commitment to stability, fairness, and growth in the maritime industry. In a recent interview, he emphasized the importance of creating a conducive environment for businesses to thrive, promising to ensure the industry’s growth benefits everyone .
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