allAfrica.com: Shell Discontinues Action Against Pengassan, Nupeng: “Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), has withdrawn the two suits it filed at the Federal High Court, Lagos…” (ShellNews.net) 16 Dec 04
This Day (Lagos)
Posted to the web December 16, 2004
Chika Amanze-Nwachuku
Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), has withdrawn the two suits it filed at the Federal High Court, Lagos, seeking to restrain members of Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), and National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), from embarking on strike, or any act that will be contrary to their contract of service and which will affect the company's operation.
SPDC's resolve to discontinue the action, was sequel to a peaceful resolution it reached with the parties, after a mediatory meeting held between its management and the unions at the instance of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity.
At the meeting, which took place in Abuja on December 1 and 2, it was resolved that;
-pending cases in court be withdrawn by both parties within a period of 14 days, subject to guarantees hereby given by parties to the dispute that there will be full adherence to labour statutes and existing in-house collective agreements regarding the handling of grievance.
It was also resolved that Shell management shall give clarifications on the exit package to officials of NUPENG and PENGASSAN, and that the unions shall be allowed to discuss issues arising there from with Shell management. The process shall be concluded within seven days from the date of the communique.
The meeting also resolved that there shall be no victimisation of union officials by the SPDC, while the unions have undertaken to maintain industrial peace and harmony.
In compliance with the resolutions, signed by representatives of all parties, counsel to SPDC, Chief Richard Akinjide (SAN), yesterday informed the trial judge, Justice Abdullahi Mustapha that a notice of discontinuance of the matter has been filed and served on the parties.
He told the judge that the parties have signed a document in support of the move for peace.
Corroborating Akinjide's submissions, counsel for PENGASSAN, Sikiru Akerele, noted that Shell has taken a right position and expressed hope that the resolutions reached at the meeting would resolve the dispute.
In his brief ruling, Justice Abdullahi Mustapha confirmed that the notice of discontinuance dated December 9, was in the record of the court, consequent upon which he ordered that the suit be discontinued and struck out.
http://allafrica.com/stories/200412160248.html